Textbooks- a thing of the past?

[Connor Bieda]

One of the biggest trends in technology is mobility. Combine that with the potential for saving money in the long run, providing students with up to date information at a faster rate and portability and you have a situation that makes mobile devices such as  Kindles, Nooks and the I-Pad perfect for a classroom setting. The use of these devices is just the beginning for converting textbooks from publications that are sometimes out of date before publication to resources that could be enhanced with movies, videos and animation.

Secondly, when you consider the weight of our textbooks, with the average book in the 2-4 lb range, and the weight of an I-Pad being only 1.5 lbs., the use of a mobile device would greatly reduce the load we have to carry from class to class. Additionally, with the average cost of one semester of college books beinng around $300, using an I-Pad would greatly reduce the costs in the long run.

Wouldn't you welcome a lighter backpack and a heavier wallet?

 

   

 

[Sarah Obrzut]

i think it would be alot easier to have all your books in one place on the ipad or kindle, but i agree with alot of people, not everyone can afford one, and you wouldnt want it to get lost or stolen. i prefer reading a normal book, but i dislike how heavy they can be and dont like to carry them around.

[whitney cummings (caleo)]

If the school could afford to buy every student an ipad, then I think thats a great idea. I hate carrying all my heavy books around with me to each class and there are times i forget them in my locker or at home. The ipad would help in both cases. Having one handy tool for everything.

[Summer Moghamis]

I agree with all the posts here and with what you said too. Sometimes if I forget a book at school, I'll use the online book. While it's great not having to carry a huge book, I like looking and reading out of the book rather than a screen, but the idea of it sounds so cool. The cost idea is true, but as Lauren said, what would happen if it were to get stolen or broken? How would that be replaced. I'm all for the technology switch. I'd love to take notes on my iPad or laptop instead of a notebook, it would save so many trees in the long run, but as for now I think the reality for schools is to stick with what they're doing. I think they're making that change slowly though. All teachers have a laptop now, we've switched from chalkboards and overhead projecters to dry erase boards, the Elmo and computer projecter. The idea of students carrying around iPads instead of textbooks and notbooks are definatly not far from becoming true. I'm kind of hopeing that by the time we go to college, it'll be reality!

[Lauren Olson]

I think its a great idea to replace ipads for textbooks. The problem is the cost and equality. For those students who can't afford a ipad, who picks up that cost? Also, what if they break or get stolen? Once these issues can be solved, then schools will should switch.

[Ryan Woodman]

iPads, while very good devices in the now, are still a first generation device. The RAM on those things is pitiful, and the resolution is shotty at best. There also needs to be a much, much, MUCH bigger variety on educational apps / textbooks, because right now, it might seem like a good idea, but almost all the textbooks / literature we use in school, are NOT available on the iPad, or any tablet. It will be many years before we reach this level of education in it's entirety. But I'd guess by 2025 or 2030 we will have moved onto this technology for our education needs.

[Jack Finis]

My family just purchased an iPad and we love it. Yet, many people dont use it for books as much as you think. As much as I enjoy playing with it, I do like the idea of holding a book and reading it, something I have done for just about ever.

[haena y.]

Having textbooks in an I-Pad or other digital format is a great idea. I really hate carring my heavy load of books around with me everywhere I go! Having a digital device to store my textbooks would be a great help. However, I would not want my books, like novels, biographies, and more, to be converted in a digital format. I enjoy reading from a book and actually turning pages. Books in digital format has its pros and cons, even if our textbooks convert into digital formats, I hope we will still have libraries, bookstores, and most importantly books old and new.

[Aricela Marquez]

I not really big on technology, but when it comes to books I would prefer them on the computer or some type of electronic device. I never really liked books simply because they needed to be watched and took up a lot of space. If they are on an iPod or a Kindle I wouldn't have to worry about missplacing a ton of books since they are all in one place.

[Abby Muller]

I have a kindle and it's pretty nice but sometimes i miss the feeling of a book. plus with an actual book you can see how much you have left to read. and if it get's wet you don't have to worry about it not working.

[Nick Fallico]

Before I moved here I was going to go to a high school where there are no backpacks, pencils, or paper of any kind.  Each student go a tablet pc, one of those laptops where you can write on the screen like the teachers have.  Not only would that be cool but there's no chance of anyone going to class unprepared, like forgetting a pencil or something in your locker and it would not cause a strain on your back. So I would love to see more textbooks online.  And less in my locker or backpack.