A growing number of schools across the country are turning to iPads to assist with educating their students. In fact, many are doing away with books completely and are using the iPads instead. Furthermore, thanks to the many unique features that iPads have to offer, teachers are able to create interesting lessons and teaching aids that help make school more enjoyable and engaging to students. As an added bonus, many teachers are finding that using the iPad helps them extend learning to outside of the classroom setting.

“It allows us to extend the classroom beyond these four walls,” said Larry Reiff, who is an English teacher who currently posts all of his class materials online, in a Top News article.

While the use of iPads certainly has its supporters, there are also those who are not convinced. In fact, some parents and educators are worried that schools are jumping on the bandwagon before enough research has been properly conducted.

“There is very little evidence that kids learn more, faster or better by using these machines,” said Larry Cuban, who is a professor of education at Stanford University. “iPads are marvelous tools to engage kids, but then the novelty wears off and you get into hard-core issues of teaching and learning.”

Despite the criticism, many schools have moved forward with using the iPads. In fact, Rosyln High School on New York’s Long Island has already provided the teachers and students in two humanities classes with the iPads. Furthermore, the school has already made plans to eventually provide iPads to all 1,100 students. Many teachers have also pledged their support to using the iPad, as there are already thousands of educational apps available for use. In addition, thanks to the design of the iPad, students can make full use out of it while still maintaining eye contact with the teacher.

Of course, there are many potential benefits to students as well. Not only do many of today’s students function better with the help of technology, but carrying around a lightweight iPad is far easier than lugging around heavy backpacks filled with textbooks.
Already, schools in Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Arizona have already started using iPads with more states sure to follow.