Should Tablets Replace Textbooks

People worldwide are using electronic devices, and Today, the need to access smartphones, tablets, and computers is powerful. Even these smart devices are making their way to the educational sectors where education boards are trying to make a smart education system. Although many still oppose the idea of technology in schools. Textbooks hold their own importance. There is a debate going on about it. Should tablets replace textbooks?  

Many are already teaching with smart devices such as tablets. But is it essential? This article will state the pros and cons of tablets over notebooks. After that, you can decide which to choose.

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Tablets Over Textbooks

While we continue to argue about the importance of tablets, we should never forget the significance of textbooks. Many say tablets are the way to the future. E-textbooks are also books but digital ones. Let me state some prominent pros of tablets over textbooks.

Also Checkout: Tablets vs Laptops [Pros and Cons]

Advantages

• Fun and quality learning
• Practical life preparation
• Less physical Burden
• Reduction in workload for the teacher
• Cost reduced agent
• Fast work

Fun And Quality Learning

Kids in school these days like things that are easy to learn. No student likes hassle and difficulty. Learning with a tablet provides them with fun activities. It increases instant interest in the classroom. However, if you read case studies, you will find out about many students who feel it is hard to learn like ordinary people. 

Multimedia presentations have a higher percentage of success for these students who find studying boring. The graphic representation improves imagination. Your brain processes memories better when you learn in a fun way.

Practical life preparation

A study helps better when you can use it in your practical life. Tablets, for that matter, are in use at workplaces. Most companies prefer using tablets for meetings and presentations as the world is nothing but technology. The jobs focus on the latest technology. Students who use tablets in early life will benefit from them in their practical life.

Less physical Burden

Course books are heavier and thicker. Many studies show that children tend to get injuries due to heavy bag lifting. The damages include leg and backaches, which can result in sciatica and many more back problems. As a result, many doctors recommend students carry 15% of their total body weight. 

If you read a US consumer safety commission study, you will find out about students between ages 8 to 15 who get injuries due to heavy backpacks. 

On the other hand, when you analyze a tablet. It can store hundreds of books in a simple file. No burden, just the simple weight of a tablet. Students can quickly solve quizzes and submit homework on a tablet. 

A tablet can store digital files of textbooks. Students do not need to worry about carrying books anymore. Just a tablet and knowledge of technology will help them out. 

Reduction in workload for teachers

Teachers have lots of responsibilities. They need to ensure that every student learns ideally. Many times teachers need to print a massive amount of quizzes or handouts for students. It takes up a lot of work. 

On the other hand, tablets help best in learning and teaching. A teacher can teach better according to the student’s learning style and capacity. 

It is easier to design lessons per each student’s learning requirement. Many androids or iOS apps help develop a task based on each individual. 

Hence teaching and learning become fun for both teachers and students. 

Cost reducing agent

Schools usually spend 3000 dollars to 4000 dollars on paper and ink. The use of tablets is reducing the cost of paper and supplies for both students and teachers. In addition, a tablet is a one-time investment. So it pays back effectively after some time when it saves you from the extra cost of books and much other educational stuff. 

Eventually, you will stop needing stationery and textbooks. Plus, there is no need for a backpack if you can carry a tablet in your hands. 

Fast work

A tablet helps in doing work fast. For example, you do not need to write everything down with homework or quizzes. Instead, you can write digitally with a tablet. Or you can quickly write while speaking on a tablet. It also autocorrects your spelling and grammar mistakes. This will save a lot of your time and energy. 

Disadvantages

• Tablets are Expensive
• Learning depends on the Internet
• Tablets can cause health issues
• Durability and maintenance
• Technological barriers
• Effects on vocabulary and handwriting

Tablets are Expensive

To digitize education, a school needs to invest a large sum of money. First, you will need lots of tablets for students and teachers separately. Then there comes the expense of e-textbooks. Finally, it requires creating a whole new system of education. To set up that system, schools need a large amount.

Apart from that, some students cannot afford to buy a tablet. Tablets are more expensive than textbooks. The cost factor will create a barrier among students. Then there come repairing and maintenance costs. 

Learning depends on the Internet.

A tablet is useless without the Internet. The whole school will need an infrastructure of Internet and wifi. Many students do not have access to Wi-Fi at home, and some schools do not have enough budget to support Wi-Fi or internet connection. 

Even in this era, some houses cannot afford to pay for the Internet. These limitations will create a huge social gap between students. 

Tablets can cause health issues.

Although tablets are much better than textbooks in smart and creative work, do not forget their drawbacks. When students learn through tablets 24/7, they tend to get eyestrain. There is a syndrome the name computer vision syndrome. That people get due to excess use of electronic devices. 

Students usually get headaches and sore eyes. This is because the images in tablets make the pupils of your eyes extend and relax rapidly. That can confuse the retina functions. Hence tablets are not healthy to use for a longer time. 

Durability and maintenance

It takes a lot of work to fix a broken tablet. And do not forget about the possible costs. Fixation of tablets will put a lot of Burden on schools. On the other hand, it is easy to fix a book. Just grab a glue sheet and set the tears. 

A textbook does not need a battery. That’s what tablets are for. After a full charge, your tablet usually runs for 7 to 8 hours. However, your school time is longer than that. In addition, a tablet needs constant maintenance. That can cause trouble in many aspects of school. 

Tablets can get viruses and malware problems. To clean your device from viruses, you need an antivirus program, which requires monthly or yearly subscriptions—another expense. 

Effects on vocabulary and handwriting

How many of you write after study is over? When students depend on tablets day and night. They will eventually forget the purpose of writing. Tablets are such smart devices, and they can auto-correct any vocabulary. If this keeps on happening, how will the student learn? 

Tablets make cheating easier. Sometimes students will not realize this is cheating. They will search for answers by just typing. Students will correct their mistakes quickly on a test. Tablets question the ability of students, and It weakens their memory. Because kids think they can find all the answers in the e-textbook with a simple search. 

It is easy for a student to make up an excuse with a tablet. For example, the Internet was not available. Tablet was not working etc., with textbooks, students can put effort into finding all the answers. 

Conclusion

At the end of this debate, I think tablets are suitable for higher education. They can help you do work innovatively and creatively. Time is always short when you are on an upper level of studies. Tablets help maintain a timeline. They can put your hours of work in just minutes.  

In my opinion, I believe tablets are only best for high-standard students. Research is much easier on tablets. You can make notes on them without much hassle. It is not difficult to make a presentation on a tablet. However, early education students will get lost in the charm of tablets. They will not study as effectively as students do with textbooks. Tablets shift your focus from studies. What do you think? Should tablets replace textbooks? Please comment, and I would like to hear your thoughts.