Like the BIG BAD BOOK companies, I guess I look at my bottom line when considering getting rid of textbooks and novels. My husband works for a printing company, so his job (and our livelihood) depends upon people purchasing books.
However, I am a techno-nerd, and I love my electronics. I have a Nook (first generation) and a Xoom tablet in addition to my desktop computer, which is the new HP touchsmart. I enjoy reading an ebook, and there are some real benefits. I don't have to worry about the page turning while I'm eating my breakfast and reading a book. When I go outside, the pages don't blow in the wind. However, when I go to the beach, I take a book. Why? I don't want sand in my eReader, nor do I want it to get wet. Remember, water is BAAAAD for electronics.
But there are some considerations to be seriously pondered when talking about going to a 1:1 electronic ratio in school. As one of the comments from the article mentioned, how are charging capabilities handled? Will it enlarge the great divide of the haves and have nots? Will students use them appropriately? (These comments were related to the blogger's comments about allowing students to bring in their own devices - BYOD.)
Also, teaching students appropriate usage takes time. I have laptops in my room, and if I'm not on the students every minute, they waste valuable class time "surfing the net." They are watching videos and searching pictures--which have NOTHING to do with what they have been assigned to do. I can see it definitely happening with an iPad and the game applications. Students will be playing Angry Birds instead of reading a book.
Switching to an electronic device does not mean that the skills don't have to be taught. A book is still a book, is still a book. On an iPad, the book still opens to pages, and OMG, yes, you still have to read it.
Article for further reading: Saucon Valley
However, I am a techno-nerd, and I love my electronics. I have a Nook (first generation) and a Xoom tablet in addition to my desktop computer, which is the new HP touchsmart. I enjoy reading an ebook, and there are some real benefits. I don't have to worry about the page turning while I'm eating my breakfast and reading a book. When I go outside, the pages don't blow in the wind. However, when I go to the beach, I take a book. Why? I don't want sand in my eReader, nor do I want it to get wet. Remember, water is BAAAAD for electronics.
But there are some considerations to be seriously pondered when talking about going to a 1:1 electronic ratio in school. As one of the comments from the article mentioned, how are charging capabilities handled? Will it enlarge the great divide of the haves and have nots? Will students use them appropriately? (These comments were related to the blogger's comments about allowing students to bring in their own devices - BYOD.)
Also, teaching students appropriate usage takes time. I have laptops in my room, and if I'm not on the students every minute, they waste valuable class time "surfing the net." They are watching videos and searching pictures--which have NOTHING to do with what they have been assigned to do. I can see it definitely happening with an iPad and the game applications. Students will be playing Angry Birds instead of reading a book.
Switching to an electronic device does not mean that the skills don't have to be taught. A book is still a book, is still a book. On an iPad, the book still opens to pages, and OMG, yes, you still have to read it.
Article for further reading: Saucon Valley
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