· ability to have a multitude of books in one mobile device,
· the resources available within the readers, such as a built-in dictionary and thesaurus, and
· prices are generally less expensive than hardcover editions of books.
Some drawbacks are:
· availability – not all students have computer or reader access,
· cost - electronic devices are costly for the initial investment, and
· the unpredictability of technology compared to opening up the textbook to read.
How can this upcoming trend be used in the classroom?
Buffalo Elementary adopted the Houghton Mifflin reading series, Journeys, for our reading textbook this year. Houghton Mifflin has included a subscription to their website, www.think-central.com, as part of that adoption. Teachers and students have access to all of the reading stories, decodable texts, and links to interactive games to increase comprehension and review related skills. This format is a great bridge to the e-book format because it is freely accessed through the internet. Students don’t need a dedicated reader, yet can access their reading books anywhere a computer is available.
Bookpals is a free website that offers books read by members of the Screen Actors Guild. While not a true e-book format, students can access these books using iPods, desktops, or netbooks. Students can be very excited about using technology, and it would be a great thing to expand that enthusiasm to reading through technology!
While this technology is still a few years away from mainstream educational use (Horizon Report, 2010), I think the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks and the electronic book format will continue to grow in popularity. Have you tried an e-book in your classroom?
I love your blog thus far. It is really refreshing to read your thoughts on teaching and technology in the classroom. I think my children fell somewhat in the middle of having technology and not because we lived in Israel for much of their younger years and they learned in the Israeli educational system which is totally broke. Having technology in classrooms is not even an option when most of the country's budget goes to defense.
ReplyDeleteI have also enjoyed reading your thoughts on Follow Me. I am not sure if I agree with the authors or not but I think it is more not. In my last class we had to read a book called The Same Kind of Different Like Me and this book seems much the same but I think the last one was written better. IF I had not just finished reading that one a few weeks ago, I might have had another perspective on this book.On the other hand, I don't agree with a philosophy that says it is a bad thing to "need God" or His help and letting that build your relationship to Him.
Great blog.
Great overview of ebooks, Karey. I would love to see these in the elementary classrooms. Our high school library is currently launching an e-book initiative where you can check out digital books. So exciting!!
ReplyDeleteFor more pros and cons, please check out the project my team did in a previous course: www.acukindlecampus.pbworks.com