Concerning the proposal to replace laptops with iPads in middle schools (Sun Journal, March 14): We shouldn’t be too quick to replace laptops.
As useful as it is, and as user friendly, an iPad is not yet an actual computer. For one thing, there is no keyboard, which teaches valuable composition and navigation skills. For some, the act of typing data is a kinetic memory tool. Keyboarding is more conducive to writing papers and complete sentences, including proper spelling and punctuation, while a pad encourages more informal texting abbreviations.
iPads are slowly moving toward more computer functionality and memory capacity and, in a few years, they may be a more viable option at the middle school level.
Pads are an ideal tool for the early grades, including pre-K, but are not yet suited for middle school academic activity.
Pat Malcolm, Lewiston
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