iPads - The evolution in digital textbooks??

Like most, I was counting down the days for Apple's next BIG announcement. And when it finally came, the "wonderful" iPad was thrust into the scene. Ok...I'm being a little facetious, but I am intrigued of the effect this will have in schools.



I know across the country, many schools are slowly moving away from the traditional textbook and moving to a eReader device. I've posted this in past blogs, but I think more than ever, this technology and the question about textbooks, are going to be looked at.

I agree with Apple's statement about for twice the $$ as a Kindle, you can have a iPad that can do so much more than just reading a book. I think iPads can become a very powerful instructional tool and like the iPhone before it, Apple will continue to evolve this technology as demand grows.

What's your thoughts on the iPad in schools?

Should schools allow at home devices in the classroom?

As the recession continues, many schools are tightening up budgets and putting technology projects on hold. Typically workstations/laptops are refreshed every 4 or 5 years, but now they are being extended to 6 or 7 years. But why can't schools save $$ on hardware and allow students to bring in their own devices?

The debate is heating up and schools across the country are reviewing whether this is a reality or just wishful thinking. The time has come for schools to look at allowing students to bring in their own laptops or cell phones...at home devices.

Don't worry about protecting the students from bad sites. Schools have more control then ever over filtering policies and what students can do. Schools can set up wireless access specifically for outside devices that filter students from specific sites. Another thought...why not turn off Internet during certain times so these devices can only be used for specific applications and/or Office suites?

I believe there will be a time when most schools will allow students to bring in any device they wish...of course with approval. In the long run, this will save $$ on hardware and allow schools to use the $$ in other places. I understand not all students can afford their own devices and schools should accomadate those that can't.

I want to know what you think. Can you see a time where schools open the door for students to bring in any device?

Netbooks in the Classroom

Netbooks...I'm sure most of you know what a netbook is. In short, netbooks are a smaller, cheaper notebook. With the way the economy is, most schools are faced with budget constraints. And what better time to look at netbooks then right now. BUT are netbooks a good play with students...or teachers?


I wanted to write about netbooks since we are assisting a school district in evaluating them. In our process, curriculum drives a decision like this. Sure...netbooks are cheaper, but how long do they last? Do teachers need something bigger? AND netbooks are nothing more then a device that allows web browsing...what instructional value does that bring?

Where I see success for schools, is where they have applications and resources sitting on a centralized server either internally or offsite...in the "cloud". The netbook is used to access that server through a web browser. (Cloud...you may have heard that term, it may be where we are heading??)

IF you want to have media rich applications that require higher utilization, a netbook is not a fit. Netbooks are great for students but teachers require something bigger with more juice.

I want to know what you think. Do you have a netbook and how is it working for you? Thoughts of netbooks in schools?

Some articles on netbooks in education: A Netbook for Every Student & Are netbooks right for education?

Caroline Guth...

WILL YOU MARRY ME??

A Kindle for Every Student

I came across an article in US News about a group looking to put e-textbooks in every hand of a student. It got me thinking...where is the future of textbooks in schools? If it is anything like newspapers and magazines, could textbooks be close to extinction?

I personally think it is only a matter of time before textbooks will be replaced in every state. Look at California for example, Governor Schwarzenegger recently announced the launch of the California Digital Textbooks Initiative. It will only start with Math and Science classes in high schools, but the goal is to completely replace every textbook with e-textbooks.

I give textbooks at least 3 good years before we are seeing them phased out. Many states are already starting to follow this model. Kids are raised in a digital world. Schools need to find ways to incorporate interaction and 21st century learning into the classroom, and you do this through technology. Kids are no longer learning and processing things the same way they did 10 or 20 years ago.

I want to hear from you! What are your thoughts on e-textbooks? Are you in favor of e-textbooks replacing conventional textbooks?

To read the article "A Kindle for Every Student", please check it out by clicking here.

Cell Phones in the Classroom

Like it or not, the use of cell phones are only growing more popular. I didn't purchase my first cell phone until I got to college in 1998. The phone was a size of a walkie talkie and the screen was a tint greenish yellow color (picture dying grass as Winter nears). A lot has changed since then and I'm seeing more and more children of every age with their own cell phone.

So here we are today, a cell phone store on every corner and a cell phone tower practically on every building. As children spend more and more time on their cell phones, schools are faced to how to deal with this technology.

I came across an interesting article that highlights a Texas 5th grade classroom and how they are using cell phones to the teacher's advantage. I would encourage you to read the article and let me know your thoughts: "Mobile Technology Goes to School"

Should schools embrace this technology and use it as an affective instructional tool? Or should schools restrict cell phones and keep them at home? I want to hear from you!