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The Daily PollPoll: Should schools allow students to replace text books with tablet devices?
A secondary school in Mayo has decided to allow students to replace heavy schoolbags full of text books with Apple’s lightweight tablet device,the iPad – but should others follow suit?
A SECONDARY SCHOOL in Mayo has decided to allow students to replace heavy schoolbags full of text books with the iPad – Apple’s lightweight tablet device.
Jimmy Finn, principal at St Coleman’s College in Claremorris, said that first year students would be given the option of using either books or tablets for lessons from next September.
Students will be able to purchase an iPad, complete with a learning suite, for around €700 – which Finn says makes financial sense when the cost is spread out over three years.
However, while the move has been widely supported by parents and teachers at the school, concerns have been raised about how easily children might damage such expensive equipment, the financial strain it might cause parents, and whether it could cause schoolchildren to be targeted by thieves or bullies.
What do you think – should schools allow students to replace text books with tablet devices?
Poll Results:
Yes (1252)
No (343)
have your say