Electronic readers, also known as E-books/E-readers, allow anyone interested in reading to download digital versions of books (from novels to textbooks) and view them on a portable device. Electronic readers are all very similar and achieve the same basic goal – allowing viewers to purchase and view their own digital library. The only variation occurs minimally in the amount of space available for download, the size of the viewing screen, the cost of internet access, and other special features, such as the ability to highlight and underline. For more information on available electronic readers and their reviews, CLICK HERE. Though these have become widely popular for pleasure readers, the audience for electronic readers has recently added school systems to its customer list. More and more frequently schools are trading in the backpacks full of heavy textbooks for these compact electronic versions. For the purpose of this blog I will be exploring this phenomenon and how this relatively new technological devise functions in education. I will specifically note advantages and disadvantages to the integration of electronic readers in the classroom and will explain how I see myself using this technological tool for my specific field, secondary English education.
First, I will discuss the obvious advantages for both schools and individual users of electronic readers. By reading electronic copies of texts, users of E-books are helping the environment by reducing the amount of paper. Environmentalism and the “Go Green” movement have become very popular recently and it’s a trend that has obvious societal benefits. In addition, novels and textbooks are typically more affordable through electronic purchasing. This benefits both the independent owner of an electronic reader and the school systems joining the e-reader revolution!
Some benefits specific to the academic context include the following areas: money, interest, health, and inclusion. As mentioned above, these electronic versions of textbooks are often cheaper than buying actual textbooks, especially with how often updated textbooks are being purchased in schools today. Students are also more intrigued and even comfortable with technology and will find this replacement more compatible with their interests than more outdated texts. In addition to students enjoying this technological advancement, it will also help the back problems frequently discussed about the unhealthy weight placed on students' backs from the weight of textbooks in their backpacks. If students have only one electronic reader, rather than 3-6 large textbooks, they will have significantly less weight putting pressure on their young bodies. These electronic readers also have special accessibility features, such as enlarging text size and plugging in speakers to have the text read aloud, that make them a positive addition for students with special needs.
When it comes to the disadvantages of electronic readers, individuals using it for pleasure reading will probably find none, unless they take a large amount of pride in building a large tangible library (as I do). However, some possible issues in implementing this technological tool in the educational system deal with student responsibility. Issuing students $300-500 dollar electronic readers that are more breakable than traditional textbooks and more appealing for theft, schools increase student liability and parent accountability for any replacement fees. In addition, with this tool, students would have constant access to the virtual world – a source for all types of potential controversy and scandal.
For more information one reasons for and against using electronic readers look at Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan for California schools. Click Here.
Personally, I feel that despite these possible complications with integrating E-readers into the classroom, the positives far outweigh the potential issues that could arise. This tool seems to be the next step for school literacy. As a result, it is important to begin brainstorming how to utilize them in beneficial ways. For my own future classroom I have contemplated some possible methods of using these electronic readers. Besides my hope for this tool increasing text diversity in my classroom (i.e. more choice when it comes to text selection than provided in literature textbooks), I also see these electronic readers helping me encourage text annotation. When students were using textbooks or novels issued to them by the school, they were banned from writing in those texts. However, as I know from college, the ability to underline, circle, and comment in the margins helps increase understanding and analysis of the text. With electronic readers I can require students to use features on the electronic readers to mark on their digital copies and I can check them at the beginning of class to make sure the students are actively engaging with their texts. I would love for my school to use E-readers!
For more teachers' views on this subject and what specific e-reader would work best visit this site on Classroom 2.0.
