Since case studies were first introduced at Harvard Business School in 1924, they have become a common part of the learning experience for anybody who is pursuing a master of business administration degree, BusinessWeek reports.

However, as business schools move into the 21st century, case studies are beginning to go digital. For instance, officials from New York University (NYU) made the decision to transfer the material that is contained in these thick tomes into a format that can be downloaded onto an iPad, the news source states.

Whereas a physical case study may be a heavy, 500-page spiral-bound book, the digital alternative can fit onto one light-weight iPad, according to the news outlet. In addition, business degree students have the ability to highlight text or make notes while viewing the case study on their tablet computers.

Beyond NYU, iPads have been popping up in business school classrooms across the country. In fact, The Financial Times reports that some institutions prefer that students use tablet devices as they do not create a psychological barrier between students and educators like a laptop's raised wall can in a classroom setting. ​