Band 6+: An increasing number of schools provide tablets and laptop computers for students to use in school, replacing books and other printed materials like exams and assignments. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

Nowadays with the advancement in technology, the traditional books and printed materials can be seen to be replaced by tablets and laptop computers in schools. The replacement of physical study materials could be beneficial as it could help save a lot of time and help the students understand the concepts faster. On the other hand, prolonged use of electronic devices may hinder the grasping of concepts by the students and could also affect the health of the eyes of the students.

An advantage of using electronic devices in school is that it helps save a lot of time spent on taking notes. Taking physical notes can be time-consuming and each student writes at their own pace. Notes can easily be taken down using a tablet or laptop with the help of voice texting or even voice recording which the student can hear again and make notes at his/her own pace. This ensures that all students take notes and the notes are taken at the same pace. On the other hand, taking notes the traditional way that is by writing by hand does foster the brain to seize the information faster. When writing, we repeat what is said by the teacher in our heads. The brain is not involved when the notes are taken electronically and the information may not be grasped by the student. The student will have to spend time listening to the audio or reading the notes to grasp that concept.

Another benefit of using electronic devices in classrooms is that the concepts can be made clearer to students using videos which helps students to visualise the concepts. Although pictures are available in books and printed materials, videos are easier to instill the concept in the student as in videos the concepts can be easily seen where as with pictures the concept has to be visualized. On the contrary, prolonged use of electronic devices may have an adverse effect on the health of the student. Looking at screens continuously may cause a decrease in eye health.

The replacement of physical books and notes with technology in schools has a positive as well as a negative effect on students. Technology may be able to decrease the workload for students but excessive use may affect the brain and eye health of the student. Therefore, there should be a balanced use between the both.