Laptop computers are issued to all students and replace traditional textbooks as a primary learning resource.

"So maybe states should be giving poor districts extra money not just to replace outdated textbooks but to get parents into the schools."

Speirs wants them to replace textbooks, though he admits that is still some way off.

Both these books are widely taught now where novels have replaced textbooks in classrooms.

Do you believe there is a future for eTexts to replace, or at least augment, traditional textbooks?

They don't really replace textbooks, because there's not very much content on offer," he said.

But as computers start to replace chalkboards and textbooks, it is natural for teachers to wonder where they should draw the line.

In some parts of California, the handheld devices have already replaced printed textbooks.

The college replaces textbooks with original sources, the seminal works in all the major disciplines.

Computers are likely to supplement, rather than replace, textbooks and lectures.