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Problems Schools Face When Switching to Electronic Textbooks

July 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 07: The QUE e-reader by P...

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Many high schools across the United States are considering making the switch from textbooks to e-readers. However, the switch isn’t as easy as people might imagine. There are several major obstacles standing in the way of school districts all over the United States.

Here’s a look at some of the problems school districts are facing when trying to make the switch to e-reader textbooks.

Providing Students With E-Readers

The major problem facing school districts is the ability to equip all students with an e-reader. It is unrealistic to expect all students to have to go out and purchase an e-reader. However, many school districts do not have the financial ability to purchase thousands of e-readers for their students. This makes it difficult to decide if the cost of switching to an e-reader offers more benefits than purchasing multiple textbooks.

Unlimited Internet Access

Many e-readers have the ability to access the Internet via a 3G network. This means students could access a number of websites and their email throughout the school day. This type of distraction could prove destructive to a high school students learning environment.

School districts are faced with the tough challenge of having to protect students from the many inappropriate websites and emails they can receive throughout the day, and helping them use their e-readers for textbooks.

Providing the e-readers to students and limiting internet access is just two of the dozen or so problems school districts all over the United States are facing when trying to decide if they should make the switch to electronic textbooks.

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Modern Ways to Learn

July 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Scientific literature

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Learning strategies have dramatically changed over the past 20 years. The Internet and new technologies have allowed students new ways to learn old material (and new material as well). Here are some modern ways that students learn.

Internet

The number one modern way to learn is online learning. Instead of just referencing books in research papers, many students are now referencing websites and online journals. Students also have the ability to search for articles in distinguished academic journals just by searching online databases through their school’s library. Many of these articles are available online so the student doesn’t even need to leave home to find research materials.

E-Readers

More and more textbooks are being made available electronically. Some publishers are including an electronic copy when a student purchases the hardcopy of the book while others are selling the book electronically, reducing the cost of the book because it doesn’t need to be printed or shipped. It also allows the publisher to correct mistakes in the book easily without having to print a new edition.

Online Colleges

Another way modern students are learning is through online colleges and universities. Lectures and class materials are made available online and students are able to complete the course without having to relocate to an area with a college and are able to work around their job schedule, allowing students to earn a bachelor degree at EarnMyDegree.com or other education sites.

With all the new, convenient ways for students to learn, it’s no wonder that more and more are going back to school.

 

Filed Under: Internet, Modern Education, Online Learning Tagged With: , ,

Modern Learning Techniques

May 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment

With all the modern advances in technology, it comes as no surprise that there are also technological advances made in the classroom. One of these fancy new gadgets coming to a school near you is are interactive whiteboards, which basically are a mix of a traditional whiteboard with the ability to easily reload it as a multimedia program.

An example of the ActivBoards used at Spring F... 

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There are truly infinite possibilities with these, and teachers never have to worry again about whether they will run out of whiteboard markers. These interactive whiteboards are quite simple to use and are eco-friendly. There are no cables, cords, or even costly installation fees involved.

A key benefit of using interactive whiteboards are that collaboration is made easy. While teachers can still have fun being at the front of the classroom, this does not mean students will miss out at all. Students can also have this kind of whiteboard that allowing teachers and students to collaborate easier. When a teacher splits students up into groups, the students can also do team work using their individual whiteboards at the same time.

Gone are the days where teachers using a traditional whiteboard have to worry that they are going to run out of space when they write on the board. Although these new boards do have erasers, information can be saved, uploaded online, and shared.

Great leaps and bounds have been made in modern education. The benefits are clear when it comes to the online learning and resources. While electronic whiteboards are yet to be in every American classroom, you can be sure this will begin a whole new era in modern learning techniques.

Filed Under: Modern Education

Creating a Class Blog

March 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Creating a class blog is an innovative way to spread learning outside the classroom.  Not only will it allow students and instructors to read and comment on each other’s posts, but it will also be a way for the class to connect with resources on the internet.  Here are some situations where a class blog would be beneficial.

  • Seminars and humanities classes
    Many seminars and humanities classes can benefit from creating a class blog, as it allows students to discuss concepts and contribute their thoughts outside of the classroom.  Writing short blog entries and commenting on other students’ entries can teach students to improve their debating skills.  Additionally, it will allow less outspoken class members to be on equal footing with the rest of the class when it comes to participation.
  • Ongoing class projects
    For ongoing class projects, a class blog can serve as a platform to enable students to remain in communication with each other.  Similarly, for younger classes, parents, friends, and family members can follow the class’s progress as they work their way through the project.
  • Research papers and projects
    Lastly, for classes conducting research projects, a class blog can be a great way for students and instructors to link to interesting sources that they have found.  This will help students come up with new research topic ideas, find helpful online sources, and contribute their findings as well.

Creating a class blog is both simple to do and free of cost, and it will give students the benefit of broadening their learning experience.

Filed Under: E-Readers, Modern Education Tagged With: , ,

Technologies for Improving Efficacy and Literary Skills

March 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment

According to a study conducted by the Internet World Stats, 28.7% of the world’s population comprises of Internet users. Just as the screwdriver eventually paved way for the electric drill, improvisations in technology have led to several changes in the way people live. While a part of the population might not believe in the enhancements it has brought along, a large number is convinced that improvements in technology have only produced benefits.
Some of the most compelling results of technology have been realized in the fields of literacy and communication. Its positive influence is scalable in terms of the evident increase in the wealth of knowledge and resources.
Technology: Advancing Efficacy
The advances in technology have increasingly been used to facilitate learning and are often used as the means for promoting literacy. Various online tools such as visual aids, eBooks, word processors, and other technological resources are easily available and accessible to allow the smooth flow of information and encourage self-education.
The wealth of written material and published content available on the Internet is for one and all to discover and use. Prose has, in fact, attained a different level of understanding and usability due to the advances in the computer era. People across the globe are using various means such as Email, text messaging, chat windows, discussion forums, blogs, social networking tools and even Internet search – taking writing to a completely new dimension.
Technology: Advancing Literacy
The advances in technology have certainly brought about a radical change in the traditional classroom teaching methods. They have been seen to effectively enhance the existing teaching methods. Email, online chat, eBooks and more make teaching much more interactive, resulting in perhaps a larger amount of creativity. These interactive tools are mostly used by educational systems online like earnmydegree.com. They prove to be very effective tools for both students and teachers.
Technology is a tool that has opened up a gamut of possibilities, especially in the areas of literacy and communication. Easily available resources give both teaching and learning a brand new appeal.

Filed Under: Modern Education, Online Resources Tagged With: , , ,

Segregation and Local Education

February 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The negative effects of segregation, seen in its various manifestations, have devastated local education and school zones in certain areas. White flight and gentrification, among others, are specific examples of the mechanisms that can work in this manner. Follow along as these elements are approached in search of positive ways to fight them.

A couple of these terms serve as examples of segregation, in some form. Gentrification is seen where wealthier people acquire property in low-income areas, which can have negative effects on other individuals. White flight refers to the moving out of Caucasians when minority population increases in an area.

The effects can undermine the area in various ways. Specifically in regards to local education, changes in the socioeconomic status of the population can leave out certain population areas. For instance, in cases of gentrification, lower-income individuals can become stressed – in a number of senses, including economically – causing negative effects.

In any of these types of segregation, a common factor is that the local school district is unable to keep a diverse population. When certain populations dwindle as a result of these effects, local education suffers. Without a diverse population, the system can become segregated, which gives way to a number of difficulties in the school district.

Proper planning can significantly help. Charter schools, school choice, and planning in the area (to avoid these sociological concepts) can positively affect the local school area. As seen in a Mesa property management firm, these types of companies can help in the design and operations of a school, which can help maintain a diverse school population.

With the dangerous consequences of segregated areas, school systems and other elements of the community must take action. The aforementioned forces can certainly help to maintain a diverse and healthy population and a good school environment.

Filed Under: Modern Education, Online Learning Tagged With: , , ,

Potential Problems with Digital Archiving

January 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Digital archiving is becoming a growing practice for data storage in universities and libraries across the country.  While promising, there are still several potential problems with digital archiving that could interfere with efforts to store information and streamline the storage process.  Here are a few problems that archivists have encountered that make digital archiving more problematic than many have anticipated.

  • No clear system
    Since digital archiving is a relatively new practice, there has not yet been an established system for it; instead, each library, school, and academic institution has a different method for digital storage.  The lack of clear protocol or direction could create problems, as digital information stored in one manner might not be readily available for an individual at a different institution that uses a different storage method.  This problem is being witnessed at various libraries, each of which uses a different method–or avoids digital storage altogether until enough funds are raised to devise an archiving system.
  • Mixed storage media
    Another recurring issue with digital archiving is the wide range of storage media being submitted.  While some information is stored on CDs, other information is being submitted in the form of DVDs, flash drives, floppy disks, or even computer hard drives themselves.  This makes it incredibly difficult to integrate all of the information on one storage system, especially because newer computers might not be able to read the older floppy disks.  Additionally, older computers might not have internet access or the same word processing programs, limiting the ability to translate the archives into another format.
  • Physical decay
    Physical storage media, such as floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs, actually decays at a much faster rate than paper archives.  This could create problems in later years if libraries and universities keep their digital records on these forms of storage. Given the current problems with integrating all of the different types of information storage, many educational institutions are, in fact, keeping the physical storage for the time being.

Although these problems might remain in existence for some time, progress is being made towards developing a clearer methodology for digital storage.

Filed Under: Internet, Modern Education Tagged With: ,

Creating PowerPoints to Be Effective Study Tools

January 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

PowerPoints have been widely used for lectures and presentations, but increasing numbers of students are also beginning to use these PowerPoints as study tools for their next exam.  Instructors can implement a few basic techniques to help improve the quality of their PowerPoint presentations or lectures, while transforming them into useful study guides for their students.

  • Posting the PowerPoint Online
    Teachers often post their class PowerPoint presentations online either before or after the lecture.  This allows students to download the documents to take notes on during class or to review after class.  Posting the presentation online before class can be an effective study method if some sections are intentionally left blank; students must pay attention in class and take adequate notes to fill in these blanks, which usually contain the most important information of the lecture.  In contrast, posting the notes online after class, including all of the key points, can provide a useful review guide for students.
  • Including Videos and Links
    One of the benefits of PowerPoint presentations is that they can easily incorporate other learning media, such as videos, links to other sites, and interactive programs.  While beneficial in class, often times these programs and embedded videos get lost when the PowerPoint notes get posted online, preventing students from reviewing them after class.  Instructors can improve this situation by including the actual hyperlinks in the notes and by posting the videos as separate attachments online.
  • Designing the Slides to be User-Friendly
    Cramming in too much text into a single slide, not including enough relevant pictures and figures, or not including important information in the slides can both harm the presentation itself and the PowerPoint’s effectiveness as a study tool for students.  Leaving enough space in the margins will create a more visually appealing presentation, in addition to giving students room to take extra notes.  Similarly, including the key points will provide students with a quick, basic review of the main concepts.

PowerPoints are incredibly versatile, and by implementing these three strategies, teachers can improve the quality of their PowerPoints and create more effective study materials for their students.

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Color eReaders Comparisons

December 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment

The first eReader to have a full color display and hold nearly 268000 colors is none other than Fujitsu FLEPia. This amazing application is restricted for sales to other countries other than Japan. A number of similar eReaders display a wide spectrum of colors on the screen of the application.

Apple iPad
The Apple iPad’s touch LCD display is similar to that seen in HDTVs. The touch screen tablet boasts of full browsing capability and it can hold nearly 14,000 applications. The amazing pixel resolution facilitates visibility of high quality and colorful images. The iPad comes with a backlid IPS panel display integrated with LED technology.

Alex Reader
The Alex reader launched by Spring Design, similar to the resemblance of Barnes& Noble nook has a dual screen display. Alex boasts of holding a majestic six inch EPD screen. On the second screen which features full browsing capability allows the users to watch videos and photos.

Qualcomm Mirasol
A new display technology known as IMOD is integrated in Qualcomm Mirasol. Being more efficient than LCDs, IMOD facilities color pictures to glisten or shine like the glow seen in the wings of butterflies. Even under direct sunlight, the reflective feature of IMODs allows the users to read easily.

Asus Budget and Premium eReaders
This looks like an open book. The dual LCD screen allows the users to browse on one screen and have the pleasure of reading books on the other screen. Amazing features like web cam, built in speaker and Skype can be witnessed in this version.

More useful eReader applications with extensive features will be launched during the year 2011. It’s possible for the users to witness full video capabilities along with web browsing facility. The e-Readers can be used like a mini PC, where the pages can be scrolled up and down.

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Review of the IPad as an eReader and the iBook Library

December 28, 2010 by Leave a Comment

All book lovers those who own an Apple iPad can make a free download of the iBooks application from the iTunes application store.
ibooks Application
Users who have installed the ibooks eReader application can have the privilege of experiencing reading as well as shopping. Two icons are what users can see on the main menu. To do some shopping for ibooks , you can click on the left hand side button which takes you to the iBooks store. For reading, you can access your personal library by clicking on the icon that is visible on the right side.
The iBooks library is similar to that of a physical library. In the ibooks application, you can find the titles of the books. All you have to do is simply tap the book which you want.
The 9.7 inch screen of the iPad offers greater visibility. Apart from black and white texts in the iBooks application, even colorful images, photos, illustrations and graphs can be seen. Graphic novels, books on cooking and photography can easily be accessed.
The pages in the books can be viewed in two styles which include landscape and orientation. The previous and next pages can be turned by just tapping.
Purchasing and downloading of books
The iBooks store has a huge collection of free as well as paid books. It’s possible for you to find what you want easily by just narrowing down the search on the basis of author names, new releases, best sellers , publishers etc. since, iPad supports wireless downloads, shopping and purchasing of books can be easily done.
Different Options in terms of ereader applications
Apart from iBooks application, third party ebook reader applications can be used on an iPad. Having the iPad fully charged while using the ebook reader application is a must.

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