English C1: Essay: going digital in schools

Should schools switch completely to tablets and digital textbooks? Write a discursive essay.

Few issues in education are currently debated as passionately as the digitalisation of schools. While some see tablets as the key to modern teaching, others warn against hastily abandoning exercise books and printed textbooks. The case for a complete switch rests, first of all, on the need to prepare pupils for a working world in which digital skills are indispensable. Digital materials also make it possible to tailor teaching to the individual: learning programs adapt to each pupil’s pace, and teachers can see more quickly where support is needed. Not least, heavy school bags would become a thing of the past. There are, however, a number of serious objections. Research suggests that texts read on paper are read more carefully and remembered better. There is also the risk of distraction from games and social media. Furthermore, the equipment is expensive, and schools in poorer areas often lack even a reliable internet connection. In the light of these arguments, a complete switch seems neither realistic nor desirable. It would be more sensible to use digital media where they genuinely add value, without hastily discarding methods that have proved their worth.