Kindles and eBooks To Replace Textbooks?

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:57:20 GMT

By Hannah Fakoury

Hannah Fakoury
Freshman Mary Cywinski relaxes in the library while reading on her kindle.

Many schools across the country have decided to stop using real books and started using eBooks and Kindles. Students have found these devices easier to use since they work a lot similarly to texting. The trend is catching on well because 50% of the cost of ordering textbooks is saved when electronic copies are used instead. “I think people are more motivated when they have the latest technology in their hands and motivation is the key to doing anything better.” Principal Major Warner said. Besides the fact that kindles and eBooks will help students learn while using technology that they are used to, students are also excited that they would no longer have to carry heavy textbooks around the school. “[I would use] a kindle, as it would save trees and we wouldn’t have to worry about textbook death,” said Senior Lee Hendrick. Everything the students need is on one piece of equipment that they can hold in their hand. They are even able to type notes or look up information using the internet whenever they need to. “I think it’s a great idea,” Sophomore David Bosserman said, “It’s a lot easier to keep track of your library when it’s the size of 1 book.” Parents of students from schools who use this new technology have expressed concern about students accessing inappropriate websites at school, and were informed that the Kindles are formatted so that such websites are blocked. They are filtered the exact same way that school computers are filtered through the internet service provided. A number of students lost interest when they heard this, but Hendrick believes that the administration has the right to block inappropriate material. “If the school is supplying the Kindles, they can block what they want.” Hendrick said. It seems that Kindles and eBooks are replacing textbooks in many different schools, but the main question among students now is ‘Will we ever try this new technology here at Kettle Run?’ “I am generally for new technology,” said Warner, “I don’t know if we as a school division will ever go away from the traditional textbooks, and that decision would rest with the school board and superintendent. I do believe, however, that the opportunity exists to incorporate the online technology into the curriculum more. I think ANGEL gives us that opportunity as well.” Even if traditional textbooks stick around for awhile at Kettle Run, electronic books are still climbing their way up to the top in the general world. EBooks are currently outselling hardback books, and every day more and more people buy a Kindle, or similar device, to replace the old worn-out books of the past.

The Chronicle @ Kettle Run

Kindles and eBooks To Replace Textbooks?