iPads set to take over from books in school libraries, principal says

• by: Pam Brombal
• From: News Review Messenger - Herald Sun

School students Mujtaba Dostdar and Skye Reynolds were involved in a debate about books versus iPads. Picture: Luke Hemer Source: adelaidenow

iPads and laptops will soon replace books in school libraries, a northern suburbs principal says.

Principal of Madison Park Primary David Lawton said books would become a "thing of the past".
"The day has arrived - iPads are here ... look out books," Mr Lawton told the News Review Messenger.
"School library budgets are being lowered and our budgets for technology are higher, so it's only a matter of time before technology takes over from the traditional way of teaching.
"IPads are increasing the rate and quality of learning and schools have to lead in this area.
"Kids are the number one consumers of technology and they are in our classes everyday, so we must keep up with what they are engaged in."

More than 170 primary and high school students debated the topic of technology versus books last week.

Gladstone Primary principal Matt Delany said the teaching tools would shift in favour of technology over the next decade.
"I think that over the next five to ten years we will see a change in the way that schools operate in terms of using technology over books, especially as we see new teachers come out of university who are used to using iPads and new technologies," Mr Delany said.
"I don't think that books will disappear entirely - there is a place for both and it's about schools finding a happy compromise.
"Libraries are still fundamental to schools and books can still give students something that they don't get from an iPad."

Kaurna Plains School principal Bronwyn Milera said schools played an important role in teaching students about technology.
"Schools must keep up with the times and with their students," Ms Milera said.
"However I do feel that both books and iPads have a place in schools - there is room for both resources.

"Books still offer great flexibility as we can send them home with students, they are cheaper to buy and they are still a great teaching and learning tool."

Earlier this year Henley High gave away 10,000 books and replaced them with 16,000 "e-books" in a move the school said had led to improved literacy results.