COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's department of athletics will begin providing its student-athletes with iPads this fall.

Dr. David Graham, Ohio State's assistant provost for student-athlete success, announced the decision on Wednesday.

The iPads will be preloaded with material currently provided to student-athletes in paper or book form. About 500 iPads will be provided to select teams this fall, with the goal to give one to all 1,100 student-athletes within the next two years.

The athletic department will fund the initial phase while looking for support through development opportunities. The iPads will be loaned to the athletes to maximize their study time, help them to participate in interactive and online education apps and make use of other digital downloads and books.