The current technology I have chosen is eBooks and eReaders. The Kindle, Nook, and iPad are the leaders in eReaders right now with eBook selections from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and free (or low cost) sites like SmashWords (which carries independents). In higher education, where tuition and book prices have skyrocketed in the last decade, eBooks and eReaders are emerging as a low cost and greener alternative to traditional print textbooks. More significant, though, is the ability to update eBooks quicker, more efficiently, and cheaper.
Despite its abilities to meet certain needs in society, there are drawbacks to both eBooks and eReaders. For eBooks, the sheer number of books in print makes it impossible to have all books in digital format. Older texts so no always format well in eReaders and rarely have a searchable table of contents. Sites like Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page) and Bartleby (http://www.bartleby.com/) provide eTexts that do not have to be read with an eReader.
eReaders are faced with their own challenges. Arizona State University piloted eReaders but had to remove them because of ADA requirements. The blog Edudemic notes that the problem many institutions run into is the text to speech function on eReaders is still emerging (see the blog at http://edudemic.com/2010/06/government-requiring-schools-to-use-blind-friendly-gadgets/). The limited functionality of text to speech is perhaps the greatest obstacle eReaders face.
Both eBooks and eReaders have benefits. For instance, many eBooks are offered free from the three big name book sellers. Older texts can also be found on Bartleby and Project Gutenberg. Both Kindle and Nook offer free readers for computer. The free eBooks and ability to reader form sites or on the computer lessens the price of books. The three top eReaders (Kindle, Nook, iPad) have also come down in price as second and third generation models have come on the market. The lightweight nature of the eReader replaces the need to carry around a heavy backpack of books. In addition the eReader is a greener choice.
I am a huge fan of eBooks and eReaders. Last term, I actually used my computer to read Dewey electronically because I could not find my print copy. The ease of highlighting on the Kindle computer app was easy and I was able to search. The eBook was comparable in price to the print version. I find, though, that I prefer print version for note taking and highlighting. My pleasure reading is done on the Kindle though.
The eReader and eBooks can be improved. For instance, search functions and tabbing should be easier to use. This would increase the usability for higher education use. Decreasing textbook prices for eBooks to make them competitive with print used books is another improvement. The market for eReaders is competitive. In terms of price, this benefits higher education. I think that the competitive nature keeps the three main devices affordable and up to date as far as technology.
Here is a picture of the Kindle
Here is a picture of the Nook
The Nook website:
Here is a picture of the iPad
The iBook website (this can also be accessed through iTunes)
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ReplyDeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting technology. I don't use a reader but have begun using Google Books. Like yourself I have found it particularly useful when reading for classes. I do like print though. For one class I doubled up and bought both a print and electronic version. I read the print versions of two books (Dewey and Tyack's & Cuban's Tinkering Toward Utopia) I read and underlined the print versions a couple times during the course. But when it came to writing papers I found it very easy to search for phrases or ideas from the book that were floating in me head with the electronic versions.
But I still find reading easier when I have paper in hand. Typically with research articles I will print them out. My eyes seem to get taxed when I read on a screen as opposed to paper. I have been trying to do more on the computer though at least in the interest of using less paper.
As you mention the limited titles available, particularly with scholarly books, is an issue.
Scott
Scott,
ReplyDeleteI read the paper version of Tyack and Cuban and then the electronic version of Dewey (of course I found my print version once I did not need it!). I found that because I split screened between my Kindle app and a Word document, I could type up notes quickly. Then, for the assignments, cut and paste when I needed the quotations. Tyack and Cuban was not so easy! I found myself stumbling a little on them. It think I would have to try this experiment again to see is the results were true.
I see more publishers (especially smaller houses and independents) offering cheaper eVersions of texts. Bigger publishing houses are still expensive in both print and eVersions. I know that the idea of federal control has been talked about on the textbook industry (monopoly laws) but this has not happened. The bigger houses tend to offer things like My Comp Lab (Pearson) and CDs in the books (the stat book in Quantitative Research). Smaller houses are not always doing that. Is the increased price worth it? In eBooks, though, that cost to digital technologies should be negligible and offer a lower price you would think anyway!
Thanks,
Erica
Erica,
ReplyDeleteFinally, I am able to figure out how to “follow” your blog.
The terminology used in social network websites takes time to get use to and understand what the words imply.
Changing gears, I was able to read your blog post on electronic reading technology. I am pleased to say that I have been using iPad’s ibook app for course textbooks and have used the Kindle for work related readings. I find the Kindle features to be reader friendly in that it allows for note taking while reading the pages via a notepad. Whereas, the ibook is limited in reading and bookmarking. However, the iPad tool offers more options in e-books varying from ibook to iFlow Reader and installation of various e-book apps available at current time. For example, I downloaded CourseSmart eTextbooks app for ease of access to course materials related to work. Lastly, I like and have gotten used to reading online and find that when I need a textbook asap I can purchase and review my course book within minutes versus waiting for US Postal mail to deliver within 6 to 10 business days. The consequence to online reading is that the visual from the monitor does hurt the eye and make them burn. I use Vision eye drops more than I care to these days for that reason.
Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts on your topic of choice for Module 1 Blog assignment.
Lynda Marshall
Lynda,
ReplyDeleteI just bought an iPad, so I am totally taking notes here!! Thank you for the app ideas.
When I talk to friends who use readers, it's the instant gratification of eBooks. You are right -- there is no wait. Something that I complain about quite a bit is the date on our textbooks. In the last six classes I have taken, all of my texts have been 5 -15 years old. I find this unacceptable. When you look at alternatives though, there are none because the price to update textbooks in a timely manner is prohibitive. To me, eBooks seem to be the best choice.
Now, I will jump off my eBook soapbox :)
Now about techno words --I added you and Scott to my Google Reader Subscriptions but did not follow either of you! Completely forgot about that :)
Erica
eReaders and eBooks!
ReplyDelete"For the physical health of our developing children...one backpack at a time"
Hello Erica,
ReplyDeletethis is in response to your newly purchase iPad. The One-to-One apple service offers support via F2F at a local Apple store or online at Apple.com for your iPad. The One-to-One representative will show you how to make the most of your iPad. I typed this message from my iPad.
Lynda Marshall