More schools are switching from textbooks to tablets

Schools have increasingly been swapping students’textbooks for tablets in classrooms.

According to The Associated Press, publishers who create eBooks are able to constantly update student material that goes straight to iPads and other tablets. As a result, backpacks are getting lighter because students can consolidate all of their books into one handy tool.

Joel Klein, a former New York City schools’ chief told The Associated Press, “We must use technology to empower teachers and improve the way students learn. At its best, education technology will change the face of education by helping teachers manage the classroom and personalize instruction."

According to a study from the the Pew Research Center, more than 40 percent of students or teachers used tablets in their Advanced Placement classes.

According to AP, about 2,000 schools have begun partnerships with Google to use their Chromebooks in the classroom and 20 million students have already started using them.

Scott Kinney, who trains teachers on using technology in the classroom, said that he believes more students should trade in their textbooks. Kinney told AP, "Kids are very comfortable with these things, so why aren't we reaching them in a way that's most beneficial to students?"