New - Richmond school superintendent: textbooks out, tablets in

Ten years after launching an innovative one-to-one school laptop program using Apple iBooks that has since become widely adopted around the nation, Henrico County Public Schools will be taking the next technological steps -- transitioning to tablet computers such as the iPad, and replacing printed textbooks with digital texts. The county currently issues laptops to about 26,000 middle and high school students along with 4,000 teachers and staff.

The program, which costs $8 million a year, has enabled the district to phase out buying any more textbooks, new superintendent Patrick Russo told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in a recent meeting. The district is already experimenting with other technologies such as Amazon Kindles, iPods and iPads, and hopes to move entirely to some kind of tablet computers when the school system's current lease on laptops expires in 2013. The move to digital textbooks will begin immediately, he said, beginning next year with science classes.

Russo cited the easier operation and greater portability of tablets as a motivating factor in making the move. The district has also reported success with better "classroom engagement" using learner-response software. Additionally, the county has implemented about 2,000 "digital whiteboards" that are in about half the classrooms, adding additional technology to the teachers' resources and keeping educational materials relevant and up-to-date compared to printed textbooks.

Although Henrico County does not offer a clear connection between technology and academic excellence, the superintendent argues that providing technology to all students (regardless of income level or background) has proven to be beneficial for preparing them for real-world situations such as gainful employment and interacting with the high level of technology found in everyday activities.