The Controversy Over The Use Of Electronic Textbooks In Schools

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.

Kardaras claims that technology cannot be used in schools, however I recommend that technology should be used in schools because it helps students keep in good health, save money and get good grades. To begin with, I think computers are easy to carry. Specifically, textbooks are too heavy for students to carry resulting a lot of students get shoulder disease. If they have e-books in computers, they would carry a computer to school without a lot of textbooks. In addition, e-books are cheaper than paper books. If a student has e-books, each semester he could save more than 400 dollars. That would ease students’ financial pressures. Furthermore, students can restudy lectures again and again because all lectures are on the internet. They can arrange

iPads and tablets have become a popular choice of teachers in many classrooms worldwide due to the positive impact it has on the students. Tablets offer a wide variety of educational applications that have the ability to be downloaded onto the tablet for the students to use. The use of tablets in the classroom, “offer a unique home-school connection by providing students with a classroom experience that relates to the technology-saturated real world” (Blackwell, 2013, pg. 233) The use of iPads and tablets in the classroom provides students with a hands on learning approach to any

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.

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

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.

After the initial investment of buying the computers and tablets for the students the school will save money every year on paper and not having to buy books. Stephanie Sorrell who wrote the article The Paperless School of the Future Is Here Now! Explains that the handhelds have also helped cut copy machine costs and saved time that she used to spend waiting to use the copier. Some people can say that students will have a hard time adjusting if they move to a school that is not paperless. I would say that they could use the computer skills to do their work at home. Also that they have already developed the skills to write on paper and that is not something you forget. Another reason why school should go paperless is that student learn better using

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

Schools all over the nation are looking to replace their textbooks with computers, but they are all wondering if it is a good idea.This has sparked controversy throughout the states because some schools want to take the plunge, however others are not so eager to let go of old teaching methods, maybe because they would have to rewrite their entire curriculum, which could take months to completely take over the old one. Yet still the sources say that because the amount of positive aspects of technology in schools outweighs the negative ones, new technology should be employed in an educational setting.

“I don 't think tablets are where we should be focused. But I do think they could end up being an efficient way of delivering textbooks. They 're just not really that, yet. There 's all sorts of poisons and mined minerals and carnage that goes on to make a tablet. Way more than to print a book…”(Rushkoff). There is heated debate going on in school districts across the nation, but it is not over dress code or standardized testing. It is over whether schools should shift to tablets instead of dated textbooks. Within the last ten years, the advancement of technology has caused an increase in controversy over which one is the best option. Weighing pros against cons, it would ultimately be the best decision for school districts to continue

No one knows for sure, but as it currently looks, the future is in the area of technology and not in the paper industry. The positive aspects of ebooks and tablets definitely outweigh any negative aspects. Being able to take notes and share those notes immediately online is one major benefit versus having to manually share notes with a friend or sending a picture of notes to a friend. Another benefit is the fact that quizzes and tests can be taken on the device, requiring less paper, which in turn save money for the school district. While the upfront price may be more expensive than purchasing textbooks, the user of ebooks and tablets is sure to lead to a better and brighter, more prepared future for

To begin with, changing to ebooks can help students in school. According to Source B it states that “ in some cases students with access to libraries were found to have done worse on standardized tests”. From this we can infer that students with the help of technology will tend to have better test scores than those who actually go to the library. In the library students are on their own with no one to help but with ebooks and technology, they would be able to find help online to look up examples for their subjects. Also, in source A it states that “Switching to ebooks will make sense for school libraries only when they result in savings of time and money that allow library staff to increase their focus on instruction and interaction with students

Schools began using electronic textbooks all over the country in the last couple years. This has created a need for young kids to be literate in more ways than one. Young students must understand how to read, while also having computer and technological literacy so that the student may fully participate in classroom learning.

Electronic textbooks are more portable and convenient as they can be accessed by a tablet, downloaded onto a computer or accessed via the internet. The technological benefits available on an electronic textbook are endless. The audio and video capabilities will liven up learning and change the way students understand and retain the material. The emergence of three-dimensional technology may also play a role in the near future. In addition, digital textbooks are much more user friendly. Studying for tests will be more efficient as highlighted notes can be easily transferred into electronic note cards for memorization. The main downside to electronic textbooks is that students will have to purchase a reading device, tablet, laptop or smartphone in order to view digital textbooks away from home or on the go. Most college students have already made this investment prior to starting college.