E-Readers offer several advantages
for students more than the traditional paper-based textbooks. E-Readers are a way
of providing textbooks to students via digital devices. The e-readers can
contain many books but weigh several pounds less than a traditional textbook. Also,
there may be ecological advantages for using e-readers because the costs of
producing paper versus the cost of producing the electricity an e-reader
requires. Textbooks are often out-of-date as soon as they hit print in some
core curriculum areas. (i.e. The history textbook that we are currently using
has President Barack Obama campaigning for Illinois Senator). Digital media
makes it possible for content providers, such as textbook publishers, to update
textbooks as new information comes to light. While schools must work to ensure
that all students have access to texts, e-readers may provide additional
accessibility for students with specific types of learning disabilities. For
example, in Kentucky, research is moving forward that shows e-readers that also
speak math equations while highlighting them on-screen may have benefits for
some students (Trotter, 2008). As technology continues to focus on the funding
needs of schools, the need for accurate and up-to-date information for teachers
and students, and the need for ecologically friendly alternatives to heavy paper-based
textbooks, e-readers will likely be seen increasingly in public schools.
While many schools in the U.S. are rushing to embrace iPads, other types of
e-readers haven’t been widely adopted. E readers cost less and display digital
textbooks but they do not contain the mobile apps that are used by tablets. They
all include dictionaries. They often have 3G or Wi-Fi capabilities. They have
Web browsers. And they allow for the subscription to other news forms —
magazines, newspapers, and newsletters for example. These devices also tend to
have extraordinarily good battery life, which is necessary in regions that
don’t have reliable electricity. A non-profit organization called Worldreader
is demonstrating how e-readers can transform education without apps and videos.
The problem school systems will face is the disparity between children in
low-income and higher income families and their access to mobile applications.
With the new digital tablets,
education can become an interactive learning environment with technology
accessibility at all times. The tablets are being used by all ages from preschoolers
to college students for educational purposes. When students have
their own devices, they can easily meet online to collaborate on classroom
blogs, wikis, education-focused social networks and other cloud-based tools
like Google Docs. The educational apps that are offered on the tablets are
beneficial because they help students to make learning fun and they are useful
tutorial device outside of the textbook. The tablets are also current because
most students are more capable of using these tablets because they are familiar
with smartphones and other touch screen devices. The tablets are also acquainted
with student’s everyday lifestyle. The tablets are small, lightweight, and
accessible and have long battery life. The tablets are equipped with textbooks,
recorders, educational apps, etc. Schools and higher level institutions that
are not looking into adopting current technological devices are really doing
the students a disservice. The Digital Natives are accustomed to using digital
technology daily and we are restricting them from being prepared for 21st
century learning.
