Wang Yuanyuan

    cheekywang@hotmail.com

    Two primary schools in Nanshan District have caused controversy among parents by announcing plans to introduce iPads as teaching materials.

    Some parents said using iPads would help increase students’ enthusiasm to learn and help them adapt to modern society while others said the use of iPads would distract students and damage their health.

    Chinese media reported that Nanyou Primary School planned to require Grade 1 students to bring iPads to their information experimental class. According to the school’s plan, iPads would be used as teaching materials during Chinese, English and mathematics lessons.

    Nanshan Experimental Lilin Primary School also plans to use iPads to teach reading and writing. As with Nanyou Primary School, each student would be required to provide their own iPad.

    Both schools have failed to comment on how they would prevent students from playing games or surfing the Internet on their iPads.

    Many parents also questioned the necessity of buying such an expensive item for their children’s education. “A normal computer is enough for a primary school student,” one parent said.

    However, another parent, identified as Zhang, claimed it was common practice for primary school students in foreign countries to use iPads in class, so they were necessary to help Chinese students keep up in a competitive global economy.

    Several primary school departments at Nanshan Experimental School have already begun using iPads as teaching materials.

    “We have been using iPads as tools for more than one year. Although some students have become more easily distracted, but generally speaking, iPads have been hugely helpful. They learn faster and their reading skills have improved. Meanwhile, we found that iPads help students feel more comfortable expressing themselves,” said an official from Nanshan Experimental Qilin Primary School.

    Experts said that parents should not be too worried about the use of iPads. “The most important thing is using them as a force for good and preventing students from doing frivolous things with them such as watching movies,” said director of the basic education department of the city’s education bureau, surnamed Huang.