E-Readers being used in schools.
By fruitcakeliz
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
United States
February 13, 2011 3:34pm CST
I saw a news report the other day that was about how a few schools have, and many schools are looking into providing e-readers (kindles, nooks etc.) to the students in lieu of a pile of textbooks. When these e-readers started gaining in popularity and coming down in price, this is something i had thought might be a possibility in the future and thought it sounded like a good idea. Why carry around a backpack full of textbooks for classes, when you can carry one small e-reader instead?
The average cost for one text book is about $70 on average, the approximate cost for a kindle is about $200 (less if the school buy them in bulk and can get discounts) The e-readers can be used by the students year after year, and just loaded up with the books needed (granted i am sure the school would have to pay a license fee for the books to be electronically transmitted) but in the long run, it would wind up being cheaper than buying hundreds and hundreds of text books year after year.
Many people might think that it would be a mistake for schools to spend so much money on "expensive" electronic equipment for each student, but many schools already have programs where laptops are provided to the students for use during the school year, and those are even more expensive.
What do you think of this new wave in educational technology? So you think it is a good idea? Is it something you wish were available to you when you were in school? Or do you think that schools should stick with the good old fashioned books?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
13 Feb 11
Well, I am a technology fan, and it does sound like a good idea for university students, especially for those who are on strict budgets. But for elementary and high schools, I'm actually kinda hesitant about that. Perhaps I am old-fashioned, but there's really something about picking up a regular old book and reading it. (I do love to read!)
On the other hand we are advancing very rapidly into the digital age, just like we've moved from stones and scrolls to books over the past millenium. I would say it's a hard call for school-age children. I personally would like to see old-fashioned text books in the classrooms.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
13 Feb 11
Perhaps they should have old-fashioned textbooks in the classrooms and then send students home with e-readers rather than having to carry those textbooks everywhere. That way, there would only need to be one set of books for each class and there would be less chance of them being left at home. I have seen some schools that didn't allow the textbooks to be taken from the school and that would be one way to handle that.
1 person likes this
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
14 Feb 11
Obviously workbooks/lab books would still have to be used for math/science classes, but those books are usually much smaller and in-expensive, as the schools have to provide new ones each year for each student taking the class.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
13 Feb 11
Yes, that is a good compromise there. But what about math books? The page formats are different than the conventional columns, so perhaps have "reading" text books like history and English in the e-readers and use conventional mathbooks so the students can quickly do the math problems instead of having to scroll all over the place.
@curtangel (108)
• United States
13 Feb 11
I think its a great idea in theory - a student would use readers throughout their school career there would be fewer wear and tear costs (we'd hope) students can get the best and newest versions of textbooks at all times. It would also be easier on young bodies - many students have to carry in the range of 50 pounds of books.
But, what locks will be put on them to prevent students from using the readers in unauthorized ways? How will students be stopped from stealing them or selling them or breaking them? (either their own or another students as a bullying tactic)Are the best and newest textbooks available in this format and how much do they cost? And the updates?
I think this is a great idea, and I'm glad some schools are jumping in to be early adopters - but I think more experimentation has to be done before this becomes a widespread thing.
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
13 Feb 11
I agree, there is more investigation that needs to be done, but i think that these flagship schools starting the programs will have a good start at figuring out where the problems lie and how to correct/prevent them from happening elsewhere.
As to them being stolen/sold/broken, there would have to be some sort of contract signed i am sure. I know here in the state of Maine, there is a program that issues all children a laptop in either 7th or 8th grade, and the child and the parents has to sign a contract saying that they will be held responsible for any physical damage or disappearance of the computer. My friends daughter had a school issued lap top, and she irresponsibly left it on the sloof and it got stepped on at home, and they were held responsible for the cost of the machine before she could be issued a new one. Luckily it was only about $200 dollars, as the schools here get large discounts on them, but still, my friend made her daughter do extra work and chores to "earn" the money that was needed to pay for it, and now she takes MUCH better care of her laptop.
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
13 Feb 11
If you are worried about it being stolen, I think Apple solved it with "Find my Iphone/Ipad", including remotely disabling the device. I think the ipad is a great replacement for a e-reader given the many uses i have seen educators create.
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
14 Feb 11
well, unfortunately ipads are much more expensive than these e-readers. Though they do offer many more options. Though personally i think where these are supposed to be used as a substitute for hardvocer learning materials, an e-reader would be much more suited to the task.
Though for personal use at home, yes, i would much prefer to have an ipad! ;o)
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
14 Feb 11
I dont like to read ebooks on line so dont nkow how kids take to it might be good and might notI liked the books so I could make pages with peices of paper to look things up or re read something that was very interesting.
Just dont know kids would probably like it!
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
14 Feb 11
IF you can highlite and all that would be very nice.
My grand daughter has a love for books been taking her to the liabrary since she could walk.
ANd she has a good collection of books already. she is 6.
SHe is getting better at reading and learning the words.
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
14 Feb 11
i have never used an e-reader myself either, and i have really been on the fence as to whether or not to try one out. I think if i could borrow one for a bit and see if i would like it, that would be nice LoL
I understand the love of having an actual book in your hands, the feel of turning the pages, but today's children are to used to technology with computers and cell phones and everything, i actually think they would relate to these better and maybe read more!!
As to marking passages and whatnot, from what i undestand on the e readers you can book mark pasages and even electronically highlight important passages to come back to and study in more depth.
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
14 Feb 11
It sounded like a pretty good idea to me. In times when school district and state education budgets are in the hole, I think anything that can cut costs and not have a negative impact on education is a good idea. In terms of cost in both the short and long run it is cheaper. Then there is the added bonus of being about to put any book on it, including extra reading assignments, notes from missed classes, monthly news letters, etc.
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
14 Feb 11
Way to look at all aspects of it! I guess we will have to wait and see how it goes with these schools that have already implemented this program. I expect to see it spread to others in the future. Slowly at first of course, as it is a big changeover.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
14 Feb 11
I think it's a very good idea...the text books also have to be updated not to mention the wear and tear from students carrying them around....And that is a big expense to replace year after year...I think it is also good that the kids are exposed to the latest technology...we need to keep updated!
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
14 Feb 11
precisely! with this new technology, we would never really have to worry about the textbooks becoming outdated!
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
13 Feb 11
fruitcakeliz,
I think it would be great to use e-readers for at least some classes. There are times when a physical book would come in handy, but I'm sure that if some pages are needed for reference, they could be printed out a lot cheaper than having to have the full book. If the school is worried about having to purchase so many of the e-readers, perhaps they could suggest it to the parents or businesses in the community in order to cover the cost so that all students could have one. I think it is ridiculous that there is so much educational technology available to be used and most schools don't go near it. I don't know if it is only because of the expense or because of teachers being afraid of it, but technology is the wave of the future. I think some classes might work better with text books, but if the books stayed in the classroom and students took home the e-book, then they could have the best of both worlds. I don't know if that would work, but it would be worth looking into. Thanks for bringing up the topic!
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
13 Feb 11
This topic really fits with the class I am finishing up right now. It would be great if more people would try to utilize technology because it is becoming so important in the work world and if students are afraid to use it because their teachers are afraid of it, then there will be a lot of trouble. Have a great day!
@fruitcakeliz (2641)
• United States
13 Feb 11
Yes, i agree. Technology needs to be harnessed and used to it's fullest potential to teach our students. There is a lot that would still have to be figured out to find out whether this will wind up being feasible in the big picture of things, but at least some schools are taking steps in the right direction so we can figure out what works and what doesn't.
1 person likes this
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
4 Apr 11
I was just thinking of kindles.. i have long wanted to buy one but it still still too expensive here in our country. It costs like 188 dollar, the ones i saw on ebay. Well, i am not sure if it is worth it since i have not tried it, but i know the feeling of carrying those heavy books from first grade! and my back did hurt but currently students also have these trollies where they can load the books but as for high school..it seems embarrassing to use those trollies hahaha so i guess ebook is quite convenient.
