Oh how I love to cuddle up in my warm bed and read a good book. The sound of the pages flicking as I turn them and the smell of the paper of a brand new book appeals to my sensitive side. Alas, I am now introduced to electronic books, called ebooks for short, and they are awesome. So, why not enhance my literacy centre with a digital library which contains many ebooks. According to Shamir & Korat, 2006, the "sound, animation, and interactive activities" contained in ebooks help pupils to "master tasks" which they may have been unable to do "independently." I also see the possibility of using ebooks to motivate the struggling reader because of the audio function. The animated feature will appeal to every child. It is almost like a portable talking television.How awesome indeed!
A word of caution; good things don't always come in small packages. There are specific features that make a good ebook like the quality of the text and sound and the use of images to support the text. So choose carefully. As for me, I choose both the traditional book and the ebook. I prefer to hug my paperback novels in my bed but, I also love having an entire digital library in my mini handbag which I can access anywhere and anytime.
Fellow reading specialists, my question to you is, Do you think that the ebook will replace the traditional book? Your views will be highly appreciated.
Hi Denise,
ReplyDeleteEnjoyable read.
Like you, I still much prefer the novelty of my paper bound novels. I am all for the integration of new technology in the classroom and the benefits it can and will have on our students' abilities to read and write.
The e-books have many great advantages due to its interactive nature. They can especially serve as a form of motivation to “push” students to want to read more.
Our students today are vastly exposed to technology in one form or the other, be it games to having their parents read them stories online instead of curling up in bed with a new novel. Traditions as we see, are slowly being pushed out the door.
However, I do not believe that the e-book will solely replace the paper back, perhaps in the next hundred years maybe but no time soon. Technology as great as we know it to be is still not accessible by many. Even today, there are many schools, in Trinidad and Tobago, they are without computers and dare I say, internet access. I believe paper bound books are here with us for quite a while to come.
I came across this website that offers some points for consideration as to whether or not ebooks will replace the novel paperback.
ReplyDeletehttp://ericsammons.com/blog/2009/12/15/why-e-books-will-not-replace-paper-bound-books-at-least-anytime-soon/
Like you, I am also pulled both ways but in the end a book is a book and a good paperback can make an equally good e book, give me one or the other and I am happy.
ReplyDeleteI share your sentiments and I, too, am involved a tug of war. E books versus traditional books is a great topic for discussion. I no longer have room at home for my books. When I think of buying new ones for my daughter, the thought of where to put them resurfaces. Her health concerns mean that there can be no books in her room. They collect dust amd mites invisible to the maked eye. So, e books you win there.
ReplyDeleteWhat of the instant gratification of the e book. I see a book I want to read. I download it and WOW!Yes I know that we need to delay gatification but it's like shoe shopping.Another win for the e book.
I must admit though that it is a bit harder on the eyes than the traditional version and like you said, there's the comfort factor of snuggling up with a book at night, or taking in that new book smell, or the joy we feel when we walk into a book store...I can't decide! The tug of war continues.
Hi Denise,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely your style of writing. And as your fellow reading specialist I say, I do not think ebooks will replace traditional books. They will co-exist side by side and gradually the ebook will gain more prominence and converts but it will not in replace printed books in our lifetime.
I personally love printed books but I am also open to reading ebooks especially if I can get an iPad or Kindle or one of those other readers that you can take around with you in your purse, like you say. If I have to read novels on my computer or laptop however, I will choose the printed version anyday.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the interesting comments. I think this debate has so many sides to it. I even read Sammons' article and he brought up some worthy points.
Like you, Dayah, I am open to innovations and I love to see children get excited about reading. Did you notice how excited we were when Aiesha showed us her ebook? Well, imagine the kids' reactions.
I do think, however, that traditional books have a way of awakening all the senses; the smell, texture and sound of pages turning are just a few remakable qualities of the traditional book that I feel may not be captured fully by the ebook.