Tablets versus books — at school

Are digital tablets going to replace books in schools? Will it happen anytime soon?

Trying new, potentially life-changing technology when you’re 20 or older is one thing. Trying the same, or rather being forced to, when you’re 10 or 12 is something else. The impact can be devastating if the experience ever proves to be, well, not so beneficial, not to say harmful. For it is definitely what we would call an experience, with no results guaranteed.

There’s a global trend, in many countries, to try and replace traditional books with digital tablets at school. One of countries that are most seriously considering the change is France. The debate is hot and should the move be adopted by the authorities, the country may see it implemented in a year or two. More than 60 per cent of the population, however, is against the change and so it may not really happen so soon.

How come that France, a country with a very high level of education, globally, and a land whose culture is famous the world over, is considering such a drastic change for schoolchildren? Are they properly weighing the consequences?

In Jordan, the question is not totally eluded in official circles though it is not as seriously on the authorities’ agenda as it is in France, for example. Still, it is often heard and discussed in social circles in Amman.

At first sight it looks like a very attractive change or revolution should we say: less weight to carry every day for schoolkids, quicker learning, a smoother and better approach to the digital world and to the Internet, and last but not least more interactive learning. Not to mention the sempiternal save-the-planet approach that would save paper, ink, etc. The list of advantages is long and they make no doubt.

But there are also disadvantages; some are plain to see and others totally unpredictable. The obvious ones are a wider exposure to the web and to all its hazards. Of course Internet access can be limited to the local network in the classroom, for better control, but how do you give very young persons an Internet able digital device and make sure they do not bypass the classroom rules, that they will not get to the web anyway?

There are also technical constraints. A traditional book doesn’t need to be recharged, understandably, tablets do. So instead of the typical “I forgot my book at home” excuse there will be the “I forgot to recharge my tablet”. Sure, there could be solutions for that, like global wireless recharging in the classroom or simply a power outlet available for each child, but how hard and how expensive it would be to implement such major infrastructural changes?

The above are nothing compared to the unknown effects. These may take a generation or two to be observed and analysed.

The greatest fear of those who are against the sudden introduction of tablets at school, against seeing them replacing books completely, is the possible loss of handwriting. This fear is very understandable.

Given the time handwriting has been in use by mankind, losing it too suddenly could significantly alter one’s character. By handwriting any topic we understanding it, memorise it and learn it better. Typing is not exactly the same. There’s also the graphological aspect of handwriting that is not to be ignored. Handwriting reveals much of our character and is as identifying as a signature. Where will this go if you only use tablets when you are still at school? Will it make children will weaker personality?

 Things will inexorably change, however.

When electronic calculators invaded the academic field circa 1974 many were afraid that they would cause more harm than good to students. We know that it proved not to be true, now that we all have and use these calculators everywhere, from smartphones to computers, even if die-hard purist educators complain that the young generation is unable to perform mental arithmetic like their elders used to. Perhaps we should not fear tablets for they may prove to become as ubiquitous and as widely accepted as calculators. The human mind simply will be put to better use than it has been in the past — assumingly. Tomorrow’s tasks may not necessarily be today’s.