From textbooks to tablets: Technology use increases in classrooms by Kym Klass

Photo: Kym Klass

Kym Klass writes, "Lindsey Wright has seen educators go from banning technology in the classroom to mandating it."

The Faulkner University freshman from Blue Ridge, Ga., was one of about 400 incoming freshmen at the school who recently received an iPad that will be integrated into the curriculum.

Photo: Montgomery Advertiser

With the device, Wright knows she will save money on textbooks and spend less time in the library doing research — not to mention having a lighter load in her backpack when she walks across campus.

Everything will now be at her fingertips.

In fact, Wright and other students said their professors have already started to send emails to them with links to e-books they can download for the upcoming semester.

“I’m going to try and get as many as I can,” Wright said.

Through “paperless innovation,” as it is called, area K-12 schools, colleges and universities will find creative ways this academic year to use iPads, other tablets and cellphones. From homework and tests to digital textbooks, such devices offer numerous ways to eliminate paper, saving dollars and the environment, according to Scientific Learning.

And with more than 15,000 “educational apps” available through Apple’s app store, as well as other mobile service providers, teachers and students alike are having no trouble finding content and material for all areas of learning.
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Source: Montgomery Advertiser