20 years ago, many families had basic cable TV’s and computers the size of a desk in an elementary classroom. As the years passed, computers got smaller and smaller and finally reached the size where they could fit into a small backpack. Because of that, and because of the recent push to turn the world into a greener, more environmentally clean planet, public schools throughout America decided to kick textbooks to the curb in order to cut printing to save trees and to cut the costs that come along with putting the books together and distributing them. These same schools across the nation have taken the technological plunge and have begun to replace textbooks in K-12 schools with their electronic equivalent, tablets and e-books. Among these …show more content…
Benjamin Herold, a staff writer for Education Week puts in his two cents about health concerns when it comes to using tablets in a Guilford County, North Carolina school. The school in question decided to “[suspend] the use of tablets and related equipment” because of “broken screens…and there were also reported problems with some device cases and overheating battery chargers” (12). In other words, safety hazards became evident when screens broke risking cut fingers and hands, when cases didn’t protect the tablets leading to the same injuries, and when battery chargers began to overheat while plugged into the tablet, jeopardizing the safety of not only the students, but others as well with the risk of starting a fire. Kristin Zachary, a reporter for High Point Enterprise in North Carolina speaks along the same lines about broken screens potentially becoming a health hazard. Zachary reveals that out of “about 19,000 devices that were in the hands of students and teachers…435 tablets [were] broken” within about two months of using them at a school in Guilford County, North Carolina. Zachary is basically reiterating that those same broken screens can lead to issues like screens shorting out and becoming a shock hazard, and could also lead to the students cutting their fingers and hands on the screens. In collaboration with ProCon.org, the writers at PR Newswire even chipped in and added their insight on the
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.
Over the last decade technology has become increasingly integrated into school systems. As this happens school have to weigh many factors and make a choice about the level of technology to integrate. Factors such as cost, the values of these tools, and how children (and adults) are impacted by this bombardment of information all play a role as important factors in this progress. First of all, cost is referring to what us given up with the lack of traditional textbooks. A technology-focused environment risks giving up the benefits of physical sources.
Imagine a day when youngsters would leave for school carrying nothing more than an electronic device weighing less than one pound. The advent and growing popularity of electronic textbooks may make this a reality sooner rather than later. No more students trudging around with 20 pound backpacks strapped to their backs. No more lockers jammed with textbooks and notebooks. The benefits of transitioning to e-textbooks are many and provide advantages for both students and educators.
Marc Presnky argues that college should ban the use of physical books to encourage the use of electronic books. He gives three reasons to support his argument. The author of the article “College Should Mandate That All Textbooks Be Digitized” states three main advantages of having a bookless higher education. He believes that society should move beyond “physical books of the past” in order to move “education into the future” (Presnky). By employing the use of digitized books, Presnky believes that people will have features not quickly available to physical books such as comments or analysis about a book. Lastly, Presnky believes the biggest advantage of fully transitioning to e-books is the liberation of ideas from printed pages. He thinks
After analyzing both positions presented in the speech and the memorandum, it is clear that the speech by Keanu Williams is best supported because etextbooks are more expensive and technology does not cut down on learning time. Even though students are raised on technology, paper textbooks are better, and most children spend too much time on electronics and need a break from them.
With the rampant year over year releases and innovations in the consumer sector, computers and tablets are cheaper than ever. While one may argue that devices still remain more expensive than a simple notepad and pencil, students opting not to use a computer will accrue incrementally more costs for notebooks and/or paper, binders, the printing of class notes, and hard copy textbooks for each course. With PDF and online textbooks now available, at substantially lower costs, tech savvy students have additional cost and use advantages. Further, digital resources permit publishers to regularly update e-textbook forms. This is relevant for schools that utilize one text for multiple years and better ensures accuracy and currency. Beyond the economic benefits, computers have other practical advantages. They significantly reduce the amount of weight students carry in knapsacks, improve ergonomics, and ameliorate possible future absenteeism and medical costs due to back injury. Finally, reduced paper consumption and its footprint are more environmentally friendly and consistent with the University of Toronto’s sustainability
Electronic reading devices have become popular in recent years. Some schools have even gotten rid of paper books entirely. Their students read everything electronically instead. While eBooks have their place, their use in schools should be limited.
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
It’s imperative that this same California Law be initiated at Universities across Louisiana as well as two-year colleges like Delgado to cut the cost of overpriced textbooks. Let’s face it. We’re now living in a microwave, fast-paced, and digital generation where smart phones, I-pods and I-pads are taking over. A generation where life is at the touch of a handheld device where you can receive emails, telephone calls, and even order a movie or concert ticket at the blink of an eye. Devices such as the Apple I-pad starts at a price of $499 for 16gb 3g up to $899 for 32gb 3gs compared to the Kindle which sells for a whole lot cheaper, but the Kindle
Even though the children are raised on technology, paper books are better. Our kids need a break from technology.
LAST week, Education Secretary Arne Duncan declared a war on paper textbooks. “Over the next few years,” he said in a speech at the National Press Club, “textbooks should be obsolete.” In their place would come a variety of digital-learning technologies, like e-readers and multimedia Web sites.
Teachers are always assigning homework in the textbook and of course every student complains. Not only because they have homework, but because they have to lug home multiple textbooks. Many school districts have been trying to find a way to solve this complaint. What school board officials have come up with is replacing the textbooks with notebook computers or tablets. It is the 21st century, there is technology booming everywhere. However, converting the notebook computers might not be the greatest decision.
Small children appear to have a stronger connection with a tablet in front of them instead of a book. E-Books are also cheaper, especially when comparing to online sales like Amazon or Half.com. On the average, one would save at least $5.00 per book in Kindle form versus bound book. Some of the main suppliers of E-books, like Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Sony have each published studies on the environmental impact of using digital technology. E-Book sales have skyrocketed over the last ten years. In 2009, “sales of E-books totaled over 169.5 million.” (Greenpressinitiative.com) Steven Johnson who wrote in the Wall Street Journal states, “It will expand the universe of books at our fingertips, and transform the solitary act of reading into something far more social.” (WSJ) Online websites are vast for book clubs and social media promotes the sales of online books. She also eludes to the fact that online books “will also change how we find books – and talk about them.” Another advantage is if one does not like a book, just delete from your library. That is much simpler that returning a book to a
“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.
To start off, schools need to realize the amount they can save in the long run by utilizing technology and lean away from traditional, old fashioned, hard cover books. When books become outdated and used, schools have to spend endless amounts to replace them. To avoid this, schools can take the initiate and work proactively and replace hard cover books with electronics to avoid unnecessary expenses. An example of this occurred at Empire High School which recently made a switch from textbooks even though, “it wasn’t because of a funding crisis.” (Source A) Empire High School shows just how well technology can work. Not only does technology help in saving necessary funding, it adds a sure convenience factor to the students and teachers by not having to drag around large and expensive textbooks.