Do taxpayers pay for computers, textbooks, etc. in the classrooms? This tool is just a variation of the same, not just a ‘video game’ I think you think it is...
Textbooks are fine. Computers might be; they seem to work at our school, though I think my children’s reading skills are a bit low. I try to teach them, but they refuse to learn to me. I don’t know if that is related to the use of computers over textbooks.
In any case, my kids are already carrying their web-books to school - the ones I paid for.
However, iPads are TOYS. I have checked them out and talked with developers, and their utility is limited. Games, music, video; yes you can read a book on one. Whoopee. Is an interactive workbook on an iPad cheaper than a paper one?
IN any case, if the state is going to provide the kids with laptops, then the parents should pay. Ditto for the iPads. This is based on the assumption that that the student will be keeping the device - which is logical given that new generations of “i-Devices” seem to come out every six months.
If they’re not keeping the device, then the parents need to decided if they want to be held responsible for $500 devices their student might destroy. Maybe the school needs to require the parent to buy insurance for their student’s assigned device?
An ipad is unnecessary for a 5 year old. The ipad does play video games. Perhaps a cheaper device which only does what the school wants it to. Or any device that costs $100 - not $500.