Should schools require students to bring iPads?

This is a big issue in NZ right now. Lots of schools now require iPads or laptops much like pens and books were once required items. Is this a good idea? What about the cost? Is it that useful for learning?

admin: No, not unless they are paying for it. My family couldn't go out and buy me a iPad and all my siblings one just for school.

Pinkie: Same. I mean, if you got one just for school, that'd be $500 for each ipad!

nolongeractiveuser: And if you have 4 kids... or 17 like Samantha's family...

Pinkie: Dang. And 2 is already a lot.

nolongeractiveuser: Yeah. Let's spend all the money we have on something we don't need! What's gonna happen to the kids who don't bring it?

I think they have a place and kids SHOULD be exposed to them in school- but requiring parents to buy them is a bit crazy.

Make the Schools buy them.

TheAntidoter: Lol, AKA: Government, AAKA: The taxes AAAKA: The parents.

It's true that if the government pays for stuff like this it comes from taxes, but it is not the same as the Parents paying for it directly.
The tax is on ALL workers, regardless of if they are parents or not, and the government can negotiate a much cheaper rate than the Parents can individually - net result = a win

nzlockie: If the parents pay for them, no. So, my dad would spend money on a $500 device only used at school? It's one thing to spend money on a ipad for school and home, but only for school, that's like throwing away $500!

nolongeractiveuser: Not sure if you were replying to me, because I wasn't saying the parents would pay for them.
I was saying that by doing it through taxes you could get a $500 iPad at a personal cost of something closer to $62-$102
(I haven't worked out the actual figure but I did enough to get a rough ball park. It'd likely be that figure + or - about $40.)

That personal cost would be spread over a year, so you're talking under a cent a week.

nzlockie: The down side is that you're paying for that iPad even if you don't have kids and you're paying for them over and over again regardless how many YOUR kids use, effectively paying for kids who lose,break or steal them.

And I know how you yanks feel about paying for other peoples stuff!

nzlockie: I'm homeschooled, I wouldn't even get one but my parents would be paying for it.

Yep, that's true. This is the problem with taxes.

Personally I don't mind paying for something I don't get direct benefit from because I still benefit indirectly. Plus there are certain things that I think are good for society. (Like free healthcare)

I get that a lot of people feel differently though.

nzlockie: And Obamacare!