Back to the stone age: Sydney school bans 'distracting' iPads and reverts back to paper textbooks
- Reddam House School, in Syndey, has decided to ditch electronic devices
- The high-ranking school will re-introduce hard-copy books to younger classes
- The change comes after teachers and students reported preferring hardcopy
A Sydney school has decided to ditch electronic devices in a bid to reduce distractions.
With the electronic age well and truly upon us, Reddam House School, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, has made the controversial choice to rewind the clock as it reintroduces paper textbooks for students.
The school's return to hard-copy comes about five years after its primary and junior high school classes brought in the use of e-text books on iPads.
A Sydney school has decided to ditch electronic devices in a bid to reduce distractions (stock image)
Principal Dave Pitcairn told Sydney Morning Herald teachers had found the devices were distracting for students and hindered learning.
'(Students) could have messages popping up and all sorts of other alerts,' he said.
He said their Year 11 and 12 students had still been using hard-copy books during that time and preferred it.
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'The ease of navigation through the textbook was easier with the hard copy. I believe they learn better the more faculties they use, the more senses they use in research and reading and making notes.'
The school will also phase out iPads, however, a bring-your-own device policy will be put in place with laptops listed as a preference.
Reddam House School, in Syndey's eastern suburbs, has made the controversial choice to rewind the clock as it reintroduces hard-copy books for students
The school's choice was discussed on Channel 7 breakfast show on Tuesday and drew mixed reaction from parents, with some saying digital devices were a necessity in modern education.
'I don’t really think that’s setting them up for the future,' one person said.
Others supported the plan, saying: 'It’s a perfect idea. My son is in Year 8 and I know they are constantly on their phones.'
Daily Mail Australia has approached Reddam House School for comment.
