This week, in no less than 10 sentences, share your thoughts about e-books and e-readers in general. Read the New York Times article and questions below. The article can also be found at: http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/21/would-you-trade-your-paper-books-for-digital-versions/
Would You Trade Your Paper Books for Digital Versions?
Do you own an e-reader or read books on your phone? Have you ever used an electronic textbook? Studies show that while young people are interested in e-readers, two-thirds of them do not want to give up traditional print books. What do you think? Should students be given a choice? What are the benefits and drawbacks of print books and textbooks? How do you think reading on an electronic device would change reading, studying and learning for you?In the article “In a Digital Age, Students Still Cling to Paper Textbooks,” Lisa W. Foderaro writes:
The explosion of outlets and formats — including digital books, which are rapidly becoming more sophisticated — has left some students bewildered. After completing the heavy lifting of course selection, they are forced to weigh cost versus convenience, analyze their own study habits and guess which texts they will want for years to come and which they will not miss.Students: Tell us your thoughts on the growing offerings in digital books and textbooks. Do you like the idea of having your books on a Kindle, Nook, iPad or other device? What might be the drawbacks? What percentage of textbooks do you think will be digital 10 years from now? Do you think you’d read more if you had access to e-books? How do you think e-books will change studying and learning?
“It depends on the course,” said Victoria Adesoba, a pre-med student at New York University who was standing outside that school’s bookstore, a powder-blue book bag slung over her shoulder. “Last semester, I rented for psychology, and it was cheaper. But for something like organic chemistry, I need to keep the book. E-textbooks are good, but it’s tempting to go on Facebook, and it can strain your eyes.”
For all the talk that her generation is the most technologically adept in history, paper-and-ink textbooks do not seem destined for oblivion anytime soon.
According to the National Association of College Stores, digital books make up just under 3 percent of textbook sales, although the association expects that share to grow to 10 percent to 15 percent by 2012 as more titles are made available as e-books.
Deadline: Thursday (June 30), 5pm
In my opinion I think that it's more convenient to have an e-book reader, instead of having to carry a very heavy bag filled with books. But if I could choose a gadget for reading it would be the Kindle. The Kindle because there is no way to access facebook or any website except Amazon.Com. But honestly i prefer having printed books because you can add little notes on the sides to help you explain what that sentence means or encircle a word that you don't mean. I can't think of anything else to write so yeah! :)
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ReplyDeletelike printed better because we can write notes a the side of the paper. We can also highlight words that we don't understand.
ReplyDelete-Miguel
e-book reader would be more convenient to bring around the school rather than having to lug around a heavy bag of really thick books, but it'd be more practical to have the Kindle as an e-book reader because it wouldn't pose as much of a distraction to the students as opposed to the I-pad whereas there you could access the net and god knows what.
ReplyDeleteKindle! Kindle! Kindle! Kindle! Kindle!
Although many say that printed books are the best source,I'd prefer the e books.Students are prefered to have written books because of the information on it.The e books only con is it's need for internet access to download the application.The con about the written books are their pages get lost and many teachers will complain.My teacher prefers written books over technology. I want to surf the web for info instead of using books. Why do teachers prefer written books than technology? I think it's lame to not have technology. Also, teachers should allow their students to use E books so it would be more efficient. I want an e book better than a written book!!!!
ReplyDeleteI prefer the Kindle. They are neat little devices which are smaller than a textbook and can hold hundreds or even thousands of books. Its portability is the main advantage. Even without a storage card it can have 3 to 6 books. It is easy to read because it can be read in different lighting situations. One thing though that I can’t do on Ebooks are “mark” or “highlight” important words like what I usually do on traditional books. I also can’t write my notes for easy review. I think around 50% of textbooks will be digital 10 years from now. I think my interest in reading would still be the same whether I read digital books or textbooks. It will change learning and studying because students will have easier access in acquiring new titles
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of e-books and the technology around it generally. Though I really think it cannot replace normal books. I say this because of the many things that books are just better in than e-books. One thing is that you can get almost any kind of book you want in a bookstore.You can not say the same thing about the e-book which only has a limited selection. Books are easier on the eyes compared to their electronic counterparts. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure in front of an e-book damages your eyesight. Another thing books have that e-books do not is pictures. Picture books are important in a child's life. It's not just picture books, but also textbooks that have pictures in it. These are the things that e-books like the kindle just do not have right now. E-books only have a certain battery life, but you can read a book anywhere as long as you have sufficient light. These are some of the many reasons why I prefer books over e-books.
ReplyDeleteEbooks are great and all but it can never replace my love for paperback/hardback books. I love seeing the actual beautiful covers. The feeling of turning each page is way better than the feeling of sliding your finger across the screen.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for iPads (not so much Kindles) in the classroom, but the only thing that makes me hesitate is the prospect of students playing games in the classroom. If you can make a case on how to control THAT effectively, then it should work.
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