Nov 13, 2011
Bookshare! iPads! Nooks! Kindles! oh my
http://www.bookshare.org/ is a site that encourages the sharing of books for our students. We use it in Monticello but I would like to take this Napster invention a step further. Should our students all have a digital reading device that all of their books reside on? I was at a tech meeting yesterday and thanks to a colleague I have a new way to look at this. There are many many books that are available that are free to down. http://www.gutenberg.org/ offers free books to students to be downloaded to these devices and there a Chemistry applications that are flash based (cannot run on the iPad) that Kindles and Nooks can accommodate. We are constantly trying to find a device that does everything when perhaps we need to focus on devices that are indeed “focused.” With a ereader there is a specific purpose that can be used in the classroom. What do you think? We can use textbook aide to offset the cost. I see a pilot brewing……………..
I had not heard of the gutenberg.org site. I just took a look at all the digital books that are available and am amazed. Having a digital reader in the classroom would be a really neat thing to have for students, but are these tablets and ereaders provided from the school and are students able to take them home? I think that it is a neat idea and I do think students would enjoy having the books on a tablet rather then breaking their backs bring home all their textbooks. The only thing is most schools already have all the literature books they use for students to read so the money has already been spent. It would be fun to pilot to see how students respond and if it really is worth the investment.
I think that having a device that stores all of a student’s books/textbooks to be an ideal concept. There have been so many studies done on how students have been developing bad backs and posture due to the massive level of textbooks one has to transport on a daily basis. Having a 5lbs or less device that can store not only books that the student is currently using to study but to also have texts from previous years is amazing. Students can have the ability to look into the past and revisit old topics in order to gain a better grasp on new ones is also a concept to seriously consider.
Another concept is using these devices to create interactive texts that not only have print but perhaps visual examples that show new concepts taught in action. My vision is Kahn Academy meets every school subject text. A device like this could cater to all learning styles at the same time!
I also believe that having a device that stores all of a students books/textbooks is a great idea. Especially since our students have grown up into a technology-enriched environment. I think a good tool that every student should have within the classroom is an iPad. I think that if we could find a way to icorporate books, music, and information texts, on the iPads, this will eliminate the supplies needed for school. If the students used the iPads for each subject area, there would be less of concern of misplacing or ‘forgetting’ something. Everything would be located in one location.
You bring up a great point that we need to stopping searching for the device that does everything and look for those that are focused. In my search for the device that does everything I have found none, and often become fustrated in the end. The idea of using tablets to provide textbooks is great. Allowing the students to store multiple textbooks on a single device is a great idea. Instead of having the student’s lug heavy books around they can carry a small device with the same content, no longer is their an excuse for not being prepared. Learning is not only increased with this idea, but it has the ability to become more interactive as well.
This would be an interesting concept of having all textbooks available on a digital device. I do see some problems with this however. Students would need to be responsible for keeping it charged and bringing it to class. Some students now can’t even remember to bring their textbook. Maybe this would change though with an electronic device. This might gain more student interest. I have seen some students using their own personal devices such as a kindle in school. They did inform me that they had a digital version of a textbook for one of their classes on there. This might be something to look into. Would it be cheaper in the long run?
I think the idea of having textbooks on e-readers is an awesome idea. This would make things easier for students and through these devices you would be able to meet the needs of all of your learners. Our world is going full force to a whole world of technology and we might as well bring our textbooks and school up to the standards. The students would be able to have all their classes and different subjects at their fingertips. However, is this realistic for the schools to afford? Or would some schools be moving into the future of technology while some are left in the past with their textbooks?
having text books being able to down to ereaders are a great idea because that would lessen the load on the students and also cut down on the spending from buying all the text books.
I think that this would only work if teachers were on board and students were responsible for it.
I think that these devices are a good idea, and I think that textbook aide should be utilized as well. By acquiring these devices students will have less to carry around with them and make for a single device that can provide many resources
I do not have an iPad or an e-reader, but my fiance has a Motorola Xoom tablet. While I have not delved into the e-reader aspect, I can make a non-educated statement about my opinions on these devices in the classroom. I have no really played around on an e-reader but you say that they are more focused. I find that my students are pretty much as unfocused as can be and find myself constantly coming up with a song and dance to keep their attention. Access to alternative applications and Internet browsers while they’re supposed to be reading could be a huge issue in 6th grade. However, being able to hold all textbook and free choice readings on one device could be extremely motivating and interesting for them!
I really like the idea of incorporating Kindles or Nooks into the classroom. I worry that too many students are not reading. Having a Kindle or a Nook may lure some reluctant readers. I also like that some nooks have a dictionary built in so students can look up any words that they do not know or are having trouble with. This would make it easier for students to look up words that they don’t understand and they may be motivated to do so because they don’t have to open another book to do it. I also have students with widely different reading levels. This would make it discreet for students to read books at lower levels during sustained silent reading, etc.
I like the dictionary idea actually.
I think there are many pro’s and con’s to this….just like anything else. As a student in a technology program, I am all for it. I know there would be many questions which would arise…there are those who would not want to learn the new technology, those who would want to know why they weren’t chosen to be the “pilot”.
I am all for it…I know we are responsible for textbooks, if a student lost all their textbooks, wouldn’t the cost be the same? Yes, some students lose things…but maybe this would teach some responsiblity to those who are not responsible. I would love to be involved in something like this…they are forming a technology committee in my district that I am becoming a part of…our first meeting is December 5th…will let you know what is discussed!
I think that having e-readers in the classroom would be beneficial for our students. Every day, I have students who are late to my class because they have 5 textbooks stacked up that are bigger than them. Their response to me when I ask why they have all of their books is that they will be late to their classes if they don’t bring their books. I know that some teachers are afraid of change and are not willing to teach by using an e-reader, but let’s think of who it will help? By having a digital device that contains the five books, students will only have to worry about one device instead of 5 separate books. I think that this will also increase student engagement but might be difficult for districts to afford e-readers for each student.
I really like the idea of being able to access all your textbooks on one device. I would rather use an e-reader to read books. I think that students would enjoy adjusting the size of my text and the background of the page. Another great tool is the instant dictionary that allows students to look up words and then highlight them, allowing them to refer back to the highlighted list.
I think students having e-readers in the classroom would be awesome. Especially int his day and age where technology is available for most of our students. I know my students would be much more focused on reading necessary material if they were able to read it on an e-reader. I also think that e-readers would elimintate the problem of students forgetting textbooks in school therefore leading to incomplete homework assignments. If school districts are financially able I think e-reades are a great idea.
I really like the idea of students having an e-reader. I agree with the other comments about students not having to carry around several heavy books. They only need to keep track of one digital device. I also think that students may be more willing to read their textbook if it is offered digitally.
I know these devices are the way we are heading as a society but it is hard for me to let go of the old school paperback.
Now keep in mind I have every sort of gadget in my house. (Computers, Kindles, Ipods, Ipads) All repetative devices that could really be condensed to one. However I cannot part with my good old book. Even with all that technology I still have 8 bookshelves.
So do I think an e-reader is the way schools should go? Well yes, because that is what is engaging to students now a day. I do think that these tools of tech do have responsibilities that students may not be ready for and would have to be taught. (Ex Not losing or dropping thier tablets.)
But I strongly believe we should not let go the old smelling bindings and crisp sound that’s made when a page is being turned.
I feel that this is going to drive technology in the classroom in the future in the sense that schools simply do not have the funds or resources anymore to keep up with the ever expanding market of technology. New technologies are coming out every year replacing the old model faster than ever. I feel that bringing the students own devices is a great idea as long as the proper steps are taken. This will help with the cost for providing technologies for all students. Those who cannot afford a comparable device will be provided with one and this is manageable because there are a large percentage of students with their own devices. The proper communication will need to be in place between parents, teachers, and children. Just as classroom rules should be established, students should without a doubt be included in this conversation.
Having a singular device to access multiple curriculums would be quite invaluable.
The first major advantage would be the ability for said device to constantly stay up to date with the newest editions of the specific material. This too will help to cut costs from not only the publishing side (by not using paper, ink, binding, shipping), but also the school budget side in the long run.
Another key advantage that has already been stated, students will only have to keep track, and carry with them one e-book for all classes.
Finally, the simple fact that technology has, and will continue to move at a rapid pace means that the sooner students get a chance at utilizing it the better off they will be. Introducing and educating students to the practical application of current tech, can only help to prepare them for what is to come ten years down the line for them when they are in their own masters classes.
I feel that this is a great idea. There are many courses that teach to the textbook yet students are not allowed to take the books home for content review. Over time (once the devices are purchased) utilizing an e-reader would reduce the amount of funds allocated towards textbooks in that e-books are less expensive. The question is however when the devices are upgraded will the school district have to repurchase the all of the e-books that were once installed into each of the old devices? If so, what is the benefit of using e-readers in a learning environment besides the fact that they require less space to store?
It would definitively be great to have a single device with all the text books required readily available. The only issue would be making sure that the device won’t be out of date in quick time for extended use. Even with the Ipad, can it last as long as a text book. Some text books that students use in schools are from 1993 and earlier. I don’t think Ipads will last that long, but students also shouldn’t be learning from a text book that outdated as well. So I am in full support if it if it is an Ipad that schools use because of its abilities.
Each student will have to have their own Ipad so that they can go home and study. The problem is that I don’t think that any school in the U.S. can afford to buy every student an Ipad. Some of the cost will have to go to the student or tax payers.
Very interesting point. So are you saying textbooks don’t get out of date? The average replacement cycle for a textbook is 6 years and they cost maybe $170 each. Digital books are cheaper in the long run.
I really view this as the next “big thing” in education, and I was just having a conversation with my colleagues about ebooks, nooks, and kindles at lunch the other day. We all agreed that eventually textbooks will go by the wayside and students will carry with them a nook, kindle, ipad, or some combination thereof to each class. This device will have all of their textbooks downloaded, and they will be able to dock the device in their desk (but also on top of it so they can still read it) so that it can charge during class. As a history geek I also have to give a shout out to gutenberg.org. Johannes Gutenberg is of course the inventor of the printing press who is responsible for an explosion of literacy in Europe during the 16th Century and beyond. Today, gutenberg.org offers what looks like the beginning of a cheap, paperless way to bring more literacy resources into our schools. This is one new frontier in education that I am actually very excited to experience.
It is clear that in the near future students will not be subject to carrying around hard copies of all the materials they will be responsible for knowing. It is a waste of time, energy and not to mention paper! Project Gutenberg is a great resource that teachers will be able to “tap” into assuming students are coming into the class with a nook or ipad. If we can get past that assumption and say that all student have these devices I strongly believe that there will be a direct correlation between ebooks and student interest in reading / performance in class. Also, with the use of Flash applications (Unfortunately still unusable by ipads err!) students will be able to see and interact with complex scientific principals prior to, during and after class. Finally I can also see these devices making photocopiers obsolete. An honestly, who likes working with those things anyways?
Digital textbooks are a good idea if students can use the devices to hold all of their textbooks. I am a high school math teacher. Personally, I do not use a text book in 2 of my 3 classes. I would much rather have a tablet that would allow students to download pdf’s of my worksheets and one that can support and store class notes for easy reference; a digital notebook if you will. I’m more for the all-in-one type of device rather than the “focused” one. I mean, if you need one device for a digital text book, and another for a digital notebook, and another for digital apps, etc. Where are you really saving money?
A droid or iPad would do just that. Glad to hear you don’t use textbooks and create your own content. Just imagine if students help create that content to take it a step farther.
I think having a central place for studnets to download their books is a great idea!! I do not use a textbook in 2 of the classes i teach, so i find supplemental material from a variety of different sources. If students could just download what i find then it would save me tons of time and it would help them to have everything they need in one spot. Also, textbooks are constantly evolving to align with the new standards so instead of ordering new books students could just download the material that the teachers feel is important……GREAT IDEA!
I recently was gifted a Kindle and I couldn’t be happier with it. It’s compact, highly portable and my new best friend. My youngest son who is not an avid reader has picked it up several times just to look. I offered to download a book for him and he jumped at the chance. Maybe just the fact that this digital native was able to relate to a book through a familiar medium was enough to encourage him to pick up and read. I’ll take it as a win-win. Also, the idea of students having access to text books via a Kindle to me makes a lot of sense. First, think of all the information that can be stored and made available. No more overloaded back packs or text books stuffed with notes ruining the bindings. Also as Keri stated with ever evolving standards textbooks could be updated regularly, yearly, instead of waiting the decade or so that is the usual life of a textbook.