I am supposed to be going along with my mother to a meeting at the local catholic highschool soon, to discuss networking ideas and the use of tablets vs books.
I was wondering what the tek crowds opinions are on the use of tablets or e-readers in the classroom?
I am in college, and I honestly, so far, can count the number of times i've used my textbooks on one hand
I'd prefer to use a tablet or e-reader over a textbook, but schools should not be going that way. They don't realize what consequences there are.
Well, books are, more natural to use IMO. But tablets have a lot of funtionality that a book doesn't. Like the ability to read in the dark, most can be used for other stuff and not just reading, easier to organize, and you can carry a whole library in such a small form factor. But I still like a good old book though, like most people.
nope stick with books, maybe a couple tablets loaded with a bunch of hard to get books for library use
I'm gonna go against the grain here and say it would be better to go with tablets/e-books. The only two notable things that go against their use is that they are expensive and breakable. There are a number of advantages to them though.
If it could be worked out that every student either owned or could rent a tablet/e-book from the school, then the numerous text books they have to carry around would be elimated and replaced with a single device which could help remedy the issue of some students developing back pains/problems from having to carry too much weight on their back.
The library, for all intensive purposes, could be removed and replaced with an online implementation. The space that library once took up could then be renovated into class rooms or perhaps a large student study area. This would of course take place over several years, but its a step in the right direction as space consumptive books become outdated. This would also be beneficial in terms of lost/stolen books having to be replaced as well as being able to give students full 24/7 access to these resources.
If they were full tablets (as opposed to e-readers) the students would be able to have constant access to a tool that can assist them in their work. A tablet could have school developed apps that keeps the student up to date with their classes, assignments, school activities etc. It also has the benefit of constant internet access and access to productivity based applications like word processors (USB keyboards can be attached), spread sheets, calculators ect. Its an excellent tool to keep the school and the student body connected.
If you were to suggest a platform, I'd obviously suggest going with android, as it has a wide variety of devices that could fit a student's (or the school's) specifications and budgets. This is very forward thinking though, not sure how a catholic highschool feels about forward thinking.