President Obama has set a goal for each child to have an e-textbook in hand by the year 2017. The government spends $7 billion a year on text books and often they are out of date. Therefore they are pushing for tablet computers, which may cost more up front, but students will gain more for the money. They want to push publishers, computer tablet makers and internet service providers to work together and lower costs, so that they can sell their products to the 50 million school kids.
The "web connected instructional materials help students learn more efficiently and give teachers real-time information on how well kids understand material" (Toppo). It is essential to push for this transition, because the future industry depends on technology. Students would be able to research, check their work and receive instant feedback. Even outside of school students would be provided with an interactive and engaging environment.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2012-01-31/schools-e-textbooks/52907492/1
Anita,
ReplyDeleteWhile I see the efficiency of this movement what are some of the drawbacks that the immense amount of cost would come with? Would this cost cause more programs to be cut in the school. Would this mean that teachers would have to attend more professional development events? I think that with instances such as these, we must look at technology with skeptical look. I am all for ebooks, but we also do not want out students to forget what a book is. I think that having the physical book is necessary for the student to learn. If maybe the school can have certain books on the ebook that NEED to be updated frequently, this would be a good place to start. What do you think about having an online math textbook?