There are many schools around the nation that are trying to make the switch from hard copy text books to e-books or tablets. As you will read in this article there are many people that think the idea is too good to be true. I myself, do not know if i like the idea or if it will be more cost effective in the long run. Electronics are often unreliable and can cause complications that a regular textbook will not. Do you think it is a smart idea for schools to make the switch to tablets? Do you think learning will be as successful with these, or maybe even more so?
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There are many schools around the nation that are trying to make the switch from hard copy text books to e-books or tablets. As you will read in this article there are many people that think the idea is too good to be true. I myself, do not know if i like the idea or if it will be more cost effective in the long run. Electronics are often unreliable and can cause complications that a regular textbook will not. Do you think it is a smart idea for schools to make the switch to tablets? Do you think learning will be as successful with these, or maybe even more so?
13 Comments
Carl Richburg
4/24/2014 01:43:02 am
I think that it may be very expensive at first for schools to switch to E-tablets, but I think in the long run it may be cost-effective as you could update your software on a yearly basis, instead of tossing your old textbooks away. As long as the people who make textbooks are able to create their books in an E-format I think it could be a good idea. I would also think that students should be able to take more responsiblity in their E-textbooks as they realize they could break easily or people may try to steal them. I don't really see a situation where kids throw their E-textbooks in their lockers or in the back of their cars like they would their normal textbooks. Plus, the way the world is moving to more technology use with computers/tablets, I think it's safe to say using E-textbooks would be a step in the right direction.
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Lyndsey Talbot
4/25/2014 02:17:43 am
I found it interesting in this article how they compared it to them trying to get laptops for every student in the past. I think that it would be more feasible to get tablets in every students hand, opposed to a laptop. Tablets are way more convenient and are easier to keep 'up-to-date' than a laptop. It would be a great cost at first, but I do believe that it would be cheaper in the long run to download e-copies of books, instead of buying all new hard copies. One downfall that I have experienced personally is that it seems to 'soak in' better when you're reading it off of a hard copy, not off of a tablet screen. But with the kids today and their use of technology, I doubt that it would be much of an issue.
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Travis Tompson
4/26/2014 02:25:38 am
Whether we like it or not, the electronic age is going to take over everything at some point in our society. Whether it be now or in several years, every school is going to be moving to electronic devices to fuel educational needs. Right now getting I-Pads to every student might seem too great a cost, but in a few years it will be nearly dirt cheap to buy on old I-Pad that still has essential applications and software on it. A textbook is a textbook, no matter how much new information you put in it, it will always be out of date at some point. With I-Pads, even if you have an older one you can still access most anything you will ever need in the classroom. If you cant, new software can be installed that is much more cost efficient than say, buying a completely new textbook that has only altered a few items in the entire book. I think within the next 10-20 yrs, every single school will be getting rid of textbooks altogether, for it is just too much of a cost to keep up with.
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Brad Howell
4/26/2014 10:54:23 am
Travis,
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James French
4/26/2014 10:35:40 am
Text books contain germs, I remember boogers in mine from grade school. Kidding aside books are on their way out. Just like the rotary telephone of yesteryear. I like the idea of e books because storage issues are not present, there is less germs, and the students like the new technology better anyway. I have seen a lot of students in the past who simply did not use the text book and just searched ideas on the internet instead. Schools would not be out as much money as it appears because they would not be replacing the tablets on a yearly basis. Textbooks are not cheap but a little bit more durable than a tablet. Tablet technology is getting cheaper and many companies would be willing to partner with schools to get additional discounts. Students would possibly be able to keep the e book in the future as well since it does not take up much room.
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Tyler Reece
4/27/2014 08:21:47 am
I love the idea personally. To have all textbooks in one location that I can access at multiple places is pretty awesome. I will say reading a book is easier in a hard copy but it is possibly to print some forms out if that is your preference. It is a cheaper way to go to and some people can pass on copies of the books easily.
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Jacqui Cappuccilli
4/27/2014 10:13:02 am
I believe that e books will eventually take over no matter if we like it or not. Personally I think it is a good idea for the switch. Tablets are less hassle and even though the cost might be great wen making the switch eventually it will save money. Another reason I believe tablets will be beneficial is this generation is so ethnological that it will keep the attention of kids.
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Gary Jones
4/27/2014 10:24:46 am
Right now I don’t think its cost effective to make that transition I would say let someone else do it first and learn from them. I feel like a tablet is a lot of responsibility for younger kids and there is more potential for theft and broken devices.
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Kim Holifield
4/27/2014 12:09:17 pm
I have heard rumors about my school district starting to use tablets this fall. The students will be allowed their own to use through all four years of high school with the option to purchase it at a discounted price their senior year. Coming from someone who does not own s tablet, I'm still stuck in the old ways of good ol' textbook. Although I can certainly see the convenience of having numerous textbooks all in one place and not having to carry around a ton. I can also see where it could become more cost efficient for the school to purchase the e-book rather than the textbooks. I guess just like anything else, the school will have to try it out and decide from there if it was beneficial and worth it.
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Kennedy Seifert
4/28/2014 12:50:07 am
I can see how it would be beneficial especially because of costs, but I would have to agree with the good ol textbook. I think it also depends on the age of the students whether they are good with electronics or not. It ultimately is up to the teacher and whether or not it works with their curriculum.
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Gino Bullock
4/29/2014 10:54:48 am
I think that this is not the greatest idea. Firstly its going to cost extensive amounts of money. How do you determine which schools get the equipment and who doesn't? What happens if the technology crashes, what will you do at that point to help educate the kids then? Although this seems like a great idea on the surface I think there are to many flaws to the plan.
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April Young
5/1/2014 01:17:53 am
I have went back and forth on this. I use e-books and I also use textbooks. I like the idea of having a book in my hand and writing or highlighting. E-books are good but you need to ensure all students have easy access to an electronic device. Also it is hard to keep track if they are reading a book or reading Facebook on the electronic device. I am not 100% on either but think maybe it could be an option.
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Chris Doak
5/4/2014 02:50:45 pm
I like this because it can be cost effective. You can keep all books on an e tablet or tablet. You can also have them take notes on them and send homework through them.
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Student BlogThis blog is for class conversations for ED 514 at Central Methodist University. These post are by the students of ED 514. We invite input form other teachers about how they use technology in their classrooms. Archives
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