Blog #4: Digital Libraries: Shifting the Landscape
This article by Glen Bull and Martha Sites focuses on the technological advancement of the "kindle" back in 2009. Though dated, the article is still valuable today as it shows an example of educating based on electronic readers. My mom and two sisters are elementary and middle school teachers and in the past few years, all of them have more or less embraced these types of educational devices. When I first saw ads for the Kindle about three to four years ago, I thought it was ridiculous. Why would anybody want to stare at a screen to read a book? I've never been open-minded to them and I am still old-fashioned when it comes to reading. I even prefer to print out my historical articles rather than read them on a computer screen. There is just some sort of good feeling when you can highlight with a real highlighter, or fold a corner of a page over to mark your place. You can't so that on a screen...well, not entirely- you can still "digitally highlight" things I suppose.
The article strives to find educational value for the Kindles and other such electronic reading devices by starting off with the argument that it will help those who may be visually impaired. Guess what? So do glasses and lighting. There second argument is a little more valid, and one that I could agree with on those late-night readings of an article that's due the next day: text-to-speech options. They claim this helps students better understand comprehension and word pronunciation, which I can agree with. But then again, it spawns an idea in my head of robots teaching our children...is that really a good idea? Nothing is better than an actual human being teaching us in my opinion, and it provides the right kind of feedback when you actually interact with someone.The authors also claim that electronic reading devices may just in fact replace physical book stock in your local library, but I can't see that happening anytime soon. Books and writing have gone hand-in-hand for over 500 years and I believe these electronic devices are simply a new alternative, if nothing else- a fad.
I will state that ipads, Kindles, and other such electronic reading/research devices would fall under the NETS-S category of "technology operations and concepts" because they allow students to demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. These devices offer various aps that can be educational, and students can learn how to use them effectively while learning.
Bull, G. and Sites, M. (2009). Digital Libraries: Shifting the Landscape. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(1), 12-13. Retrieved from: http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200908#pg14
I agree with your opinions regarding preference for physical books—I too print out most articles because I prefer the connection of holding the paper and being able to highlight and handwrite notes on it. You comment, “I believe these electronic devices are simply a new alternative, if nothing else—a fad.” Unfortunately I disagree with your statement. I think as more technology is created, more technology will follow—a snowball effect. We have generations now growing up in an almost entirely technology based world and social interaction is lived out “virtually” as much or at times more than it is in person. Now we are even introducing technology, with IPADS, into our young elementary school classrooms. Instead of fading away, I see technology becoming more prevalent in our lives. I personally don’t agree with this trend—I would rather have in person interactions and have physical books to hold. I do however see the benefits of technology and acknowledge that there are definite benefits, but I wish our society wasn’t becoming so entrenched in it and dependent on it. Another drawback to consider regarding increasing use of technology is physical ailments such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I myself have suffered from CTS for the past 10 years and taking online courses or doing a lot of school assignments via the computer becomes painful. If we are introducing our children at such a young age to technology and increasing the amount of time spent with technology, then what ailments are we creating for them?
ReplyDelete(A. Silva)
I found your blog interesting. It is rare to find someone in this day and age that prefers to use other resources besides technology. I agree with you that even though we have technology to use whenever, it is important to keep the real life way of teaching and learning alive. Technology plays a huge part in the education system today but if taken advantage of, it could go the opposite way and become just a distraction.
ReplyDelete(T.Byrne)