E-Textbook: A Better Way in K-12 Class Teaching Essay

Many schools have switched from using paper textbooks to iPads or chromebooks, which allow students to access online textbooks. But is this a good change? There are many factors that need to be put into consideration, including the age group of a kids receiving the technology, the classes this tool can be used for, and the children’s ability to interact with others.

Technology has always been a human fascination, from the way it promotes rapid communication to the simple fact that it entertains, and connects people worldwide. As more and more technology-based education systems are being set up in classrooms, we have seen an era when smartphones overpower people, interpersonal communicaiton, and even minds. Personally, after reading these articles, I feel more compelled to quit the use of technology, whether it be the smartphone, laptops, or tablets, in a classroom setting. As the West Point Academy study showed, students tended to score better when any use of technological device was strictly banned. Further demonstrating that technology is a burden on effective learning, the Ereader study made me become aware that the mind is stimulated through actions,

The textbook first appeared in the American education system in the late 1600’s in the form of the New England Primer. Dominated with religious content, the New England Primer was used as an introductory tool for reading instruction. As time progressed, more secular messages filled the pages of the book, and this shift in content paved the way for further textbooks, such as Webster’s American Spelling Book, and The McGuffey Reader. These books helped to revolutionize and equalize the American education system, and thus, textbooks have become a staple in a classroom setting. Roughly 350 years later, the educational landscape has changed drastically, yet one thing remains constant: the habitual presence of a textbook in a classroom setting. However, in the 21st century, the use of traditional textbooks is being challenged, as the technologically hungry nation pushes for the implementation of tablet computers as platforms for textbooks. The tablet computer industry, having recently become a dominant force in the consumer market, boasts its presence as a $35 billion industry. Their sleek design, large capacity, and innovative connectivity features make them a seemingly flawless replacement for paper textbooks. While a transition toward the use of tablet computers in place of printed textbooks seems like a natural step in increasing academic efficiency, upon closer examination, it is societally destructive, damages the quality of

Ebooks in schools are being more and more active as a tool that doesn’t just stay in the library but is actually a part of the hands-on learning development in the classroom. (000) Ebooks can include students in the lesson and help them struggle less with the concept that is being explained. Ebooks can be used in a large group, small group or individually. In large and small groups ebooks can help in many ways.

Within the last five years, the school I attend purchased iPads for student use. One way we use them is to download textbooks. This is a wonderful system for many reasons. Physical textbooks should be replaced entirely by electronic versions on portable devices. Education is a very important part of every person's life. We begin learning just moments after we are born, and we do not stop learning until we die. Without knowledge, humans would not be humans, and our way of life would never

Many educators are embracing the use of electronic textbooks for a variety of reasons. Ken White, an instructor at Everett Community College, points out that some older students may have a hard time transitioning to e-textbooks but younger generations of students will be much more successful at making the conversion (Moving towards virtual textbooks). The trend seems to be that electronic devices of all sorts are becoming more and more popular. As these devices continue to permeate our culture, integrating them as soon and as frequently as possible into the classroom will help students adjust to using them now and in the future. White even uses the new textbook format because, “[Electronic textbooks] make me really look at my teaching” (Moving towards virtual textbooks). As a teacher, he is adopting the trend of going digital. By re-evaluating his teaching method, he will be able to approach his subject from a different angle that might be more

The use of technology can be a distraction to everyone and every age! But technology can take you places and open doors to information that textbooks can’t. “School officials believe the electronic materials will get students more engaged in learning”(Source A). speaking and writing from perspective, reading and learning from books can be really boring at times. With the use of computers, iBooks, chromebooks and the Internet, learning

Imagine what giving a school full of middle schoolers tablets or laptops would be like. How many of them would just play games instead of doing work? Countless people believe that replacing textbooks with tablets or small computers is the future of education, despite all the negative aspects of the idea. According to the article, “Should Tablets Replace textbooks in K-12 Schools?” by procon.org, “There are many different companies that manufacture tablets, and most contract with one specific e-book seller. This means that some textbooks may not be sold across all tablets.” Doing away with textbooks has several other problems as well. The negative sides of replacing textbooks with tablets or laptops outweigh

Education has found its way into the loop of technology. Teachers are using ipads and laptops during class time to help conduct experiments, or share a presentation. This is allowing the students to gain instant access to the information they are seeking. Students also receive the opportunity to complete their homework online and print off their assignments instead of just using paper and pencil. Another pro for Technology in Education, there are countless sources out there which help enhance learning. In one research conducted, they compared the performance of teaching kids how to read a clock. One group was coached by an online app, another was shown by a toy clock, and the last group was trained by a drawing example. The results revealed that the children that were taught by the toy and app exceeded the paper drawing group (Galetzka).

“Ripe for digital destruction,” (A Textbook) were words of the late Steve Jobs referring to the enormous potential for the textbooks industry. He believed the textbook market to be worth an estimated 8 billion dollars in the U.S. alone. His vision was to lessen the burden of carrying heavy textbooks around, while also offering them as a free feature with the iPad. He wanted to change the culture of textbooks forever.

Education is discussed all the time to see what the best ways to learn are and what should happen to make education better. Tablets instead of textbooks have been a major discussion in the past, if tablets are chosen over textbooks it could be a huge step for the future. Some people are old fashioned and see the benefits in textbooks while others believe that the world is changing and that getting rid of textbooks and moving onto tablets would be a huge step toward success. This has been an ongoing discussion for years and probably years to come, some schools have made the step toward success they believe, and have made the change to having tablets help educate the students over textbooks. Tablets are a step in the right direction because, tablets help students learn faster, cost less, and tablets better prepare students for technology.

Teachers and principals think switching to e-books will be a major step in modernizing the city's schools (Lowinger 2). E-books are an online version of a normal standard textbook. Some schools are switching to e-books because the world is becoming more involved with technology. Technology is becoming more and more advanced these days. Adults think it is important to teach teenagers how to work with the new technology (Springen 2). Technology has come a long way since textbooks came out. Textbooks have developed throughout the years and now they are able to be on electronic devices. Reading e-books does not have to be at a computer. Almost all devices used for school can have online books downloaded on them. People can read e-books on

Due to technology, students can access books, use calculators, get immediate access to information, turn in homework and teachers can assign homework out through websites and blogs—even through twitter. Schools save money buying the online textbook rather than buying paperback textbooks for the entire school. For example, I graduated from Bartlett High School and last year for the first time they gave all the freshmen MacBook laptops to use during the school year. Students accessed their textbooks online, and used their laptops during class. Schools don’t have to worry about books getting damaged anymore or distributing them on specific days. Even electronic novels can be bought and read online. It makes it more fun for the students and convenient to schools and teachers.

The use of technology has the ability to allow teachers to teach the student, instead of teaching the grade level. Jon Bower, CEO of Lexia Learning Systems, points this fact out when he states,

E-learning has come to dominate the strategic thinking of employers over the past decade in several countries. Only in recent years in India, there has been focus on e-learning, this is due to the recent development in MNC, BPO and IT concerns. This is widely seen due to the connected economy, become intangible and fast growing among organizations. Due to emerging MNC’s, globalisation has become one of the most important criteria to increase flexibility of communications, and hence become vital among the organization. Despite the emphasis on e-learning and large investments made on training it is still not clear and ongoing success have not yet been recognized, due to the ongoing structural changes among managements. The problem in