It is only the next natural step in the progression of technology to expect that tablets and e-readers will soon be utilized as textbooks for kids in schools across the world.
In South Korea, the goal is simple: swap all paper textbooks with digital textbooks in primary schools by the year 2015. The swap, which is expected to cost about $2 billion, will work through a cloud-based system, allowing children to access the textbooks anywhere they go.
While this exchange will reduce the weight of children’s backpacks, or render them obsolete, it will also allow kids stuck at home to work remotely, ensuring they don’t fall behind in their school work. We can see what this really means, no more faking sick to get out of school!
As a child stuck between the digital and physical textbook ages, I don’t know how to feel about this. It certainly has its advantages, but I would love to know how environmentally friendly it truly is, considering how much energy is required to produce and maintain the tablets, how much will this truly reduce the country’s carbon footprint?
Have you recently swapped your books for an e-reader or tablet? How has it changed your media consumption? Let us know in the comments below or keep the conversation going on our Facebook page.
(Photo by jamjar)
Swap.com Mobile is a free iPhone is app that lets you scan items into your HAVE and WANT lists, manage your account, see what you can get for your stuff, and participate in swaps.
It’s true, the advantage of this is that it is lighter compared to all the workbooks of the students. But the problem is the maintenance…some children are not that careful with things. It might not last the school year. Who will take care of the maintenance and repairs of the tablets?
I wish we had these tablets when I was still in school…too hard carrying those heavy books and notebooks around.