E Readers and Tablets: Tools for the 21st Century Learner

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 Textbooks are often out-of-date as soon as they hit print in some core curriculum areas.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 21^st century learning.