Paper is good or is it? Papyrus is good or is it? As educators we are trying to "wrap our minds" around the idea that possibly paper (the foundation piece of our modern day institution) may be becoming obsolete.
CK-12 is a non-profit corporation that is providing "digital" textbooks for students ...and their offer is to provide the access for "free." What amazes me is not the digitization of text -- certainly many others have done that. CK-12 provides a "3D" textbook that far surpasses any tradition (paper) textbook that I have seen and many learning options of students. This is a powerful textbook -- even if it is not paper. If you look at it you can see that the teacher can actually modify (improve) the text as well as it can be "updated" quickly for all concerned (we don't need the "new edition")
Nokia presents some interesting ideas about how we are once again making a transition into a new, much different era than before. They call it "the fourth screen." If you are really interested in stretching your mind you can check out the Boston Globe article on preschoolers and iPhone use -- including the video. Me thinks the world has changed before my eyes!!
It sure would reduce back and shoulder strain by reducing all of the heavy, heavy books students carry around in their backpacks everyday down to one light device on which all of their textbooks could be stored! That alone would be a tremendous benefit for our students.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Jan Ruffner-Smith, School Psychologist
The use of digital textbooks on multiple platforms is not only providing the student with an outstanding resource but it is also preparing them for post-secondary education.
ReplyDeleteIn the article below the author mentions a university that is piloting free iPod or iPhone as part of their interactive classroom experience. http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/12/iphone-university-abilene/
Our students will be a step ahead having experience accessing digital content.