A school system in Quebec does not have any textbooks to open; instead, the students are all equipped with Apple MacBooks, according to a recent Canadian Press article. I wonder if MacBooks will really catch on, or if this is just another passing education fad?

School and school systems traditionally are slow to adopt new technology because of the costs involved and because long-time teachers can be resistant to change. No doubt computers and the Internet are here to stay, and they can be great teaching tools. It's really a matter of how we can best incorporate technology in the classroom. For the kids in Quebec the laptops provide added incentive. As the article points out, offer to publish a student's story on the Internet, and just watch how fast that kid starts writing.

But we must also be careful not to turn away from the tried and true. Teachers set in their ways are obviously onto something that works. In this fast-paced world of multi-tasking, we should be wary of creating a generation of students who cannot focus long enough to read a traditional text book, or any book for that matter. And no matter how good technology gets, I just don't get the same feeling curling up under a blanket with a night light reading my Blackberry or laptop. They just don't replace the feel, sound, and smell of a good book.

Incorporating new technology into traditional learning is not an easy task. We're working to find the right balance at Learning A–Z and have a good start with Reading A–Z and Raz-Kids. Reading A–Z delivers traditional books online for easy printing and assembly. And sister website Raz-Kids offers the option of leveled books kids can read or listen to online.