Should Print Textbooks Be Replaced by eBooks on Tablets?

by SodaHead Living Posted 2012/07/27 20:48:25

Related Topics: Ebooks, Tablets, School, Back To School, Teachers, students, School Subjects, English, Math, Science, History, P.E.

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	Yes, that's what technology is for!	753 votes	31%
	No, printed books are more appropriate for students.	820 votes	34%
	Maybe in some classrooms, but not all.	862 votes	35%

Is it just us or did summer swing by faster than usual this time around? With August just around the corner, "Back to School" is the thing on everyone's mind. Well, if you're a student, parent or teacher at least.

It's almost time to swap bathing suits for books. And while you don't have to complete any tests or do any homework quite yet, we think now's the optimal time to get your mind juices flowing with our quick, 8-Question "Back to School" Survey. Don't worry: No matter the answer, we'll give you an "A+" anyway.

+28

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MercuryZero 2012/07/28 07:40:15

No, printed books are more appropriate for students.

+9
Technology may be more advanced but they aren't guaranteed to work all the time. You drop a textbook, no big deal. You drop a tablet...well you get the picture.

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TheCher... to Its Me,... 2012/07/29 22:01:58

+1
Oh, you talked to one kid, because all kids are like that right? We like actual BOOKS ya know.....T_T

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TheTruth1313 2012/07/29 06:35:47

No, printed books are more appropriate for students.

+4
A nice idea, but, not an economically feasible one.

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'Zedd to TheTrut... 2012/07/29 06:47:18
Ichigo Cake 2012/07/29 05:35:56

Maybe in some classrooms, but not all.

+1
NOTICE:
Super thick books in my opinion should be ebooks on tablets, but not all.
If we use tablets all the time there will be a huge probability that we will damage our eyesight. Maybe we'll all go blind, or start wearing thicker glasses.
Books, when you're gonna change page is more exiting on what is gonna happen next. It bring s the reader to enjoy. It's easier to change a page than your tablet getting frozen and lose the page.

There is a limit to technology, we must also care on not damaging or body when it's still in good conditions.

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'Zedd to Ichigo ... 2012/07/29 06:49:00
V~POTL~PWCM~JLA 2012/07/29 05:03:13

Yes, that's what technology is for!

+1
Paper textbooks weigh too much and they cost too much. With eBooks, the teacher can write their own book for the class if they choose to do so.

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Flyingbug to V~POTL~... 2012/07/29 19:58:20

+1
What do you suggest for the families who cannot afford iPads or tablets?

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V~POTL~... to Flyingbug 2012/08/01 02:27:50

In some cases, school systems are buying iPads in lieu of textbooks and lending them to students.

iPads are not cheap. But neither are textbooks.

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psiEnergos 2012/07/29 05:01:21

Maybe in some classrooms, but not all.

I want to say 'yes' for all, but unfortunately kids can be rough on electronics. If there was a way to provide a good standard reader to everyone regardless of economic status, I think the pros out weight the cons in the long term. Im betting we get there in my lifetime.

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kylie 2012/07/29 04:05:44

No, printed books are more appropriate for students.

+1
wow the world is so hyped up on technology it is a joke, kids already dont know what the outside world is due to computers, phones, and games.... do we really need more crap in schools , i say leave it alone and let them learn the old fashioned way

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dale.la... to kylie 2012/07/29 19:47:25

Blaming technology for children not knowing the outside world is a massive cop out. It is just as much the blame of the parent. As for doing it the old fashion way, things evolve, times change. I think this would work better for this generation.

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kylie to dale.la... 2012/07/31 03:59:24 (edited)

+2
yeah i agree that's why my kids are outside :), no i don't think it would kids already have computers over here and half don't do there work why? because they are too busy on facebook? how is that learning? times may change , but for the worst hence the recent study done here, the generations are getting dumber and dumber and don't even know how to spell properly because of spell check on a computer. Maybe in uni i guess it's a good thing, but as for primary and secondary, no i think they should learn the old fashioned way, coz when technology fails they will know how to do things, or if heaven forbid they lose or break it, they will go hey there's a book i'm going to go and open it, not saying it's all bad i just dont agree it should be used in schools especially for younger children

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dale.la... to kylie 2012/07/31 08:05:56

I agree with most of what you posted. I think it would be fine for grades 6 - 12, if they blocked sites like Facebook, YouTube, ect

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TheCher... to kylie 2012/07/29 22:03:11

Really????? SO not true T_T

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kylie to TheCher... 2012/07/31 04:09:18 (edited)

yeh well ur 14 yrs old dont expect you to agree lol pointless argument :)

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TheCher... to kylie 2012/07/31 15:46:38

Why did you have to point out my age?

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nbarton2 2012/07/29 03:50:35

Maybe in some classrooms, but not all.

I'm a fan of ebooks but I like real books as well but mostly vintage and classics, textbooks on the one hand for college are great in certain subjects because it allows for highlighting on a tablet and transitioning it to my computer (well for my kindle books) but for high school not so sure

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ElynnKy 2012/07/29 03:14:08

Yes, that's what technology is for!

+2
It isn't a question of whether or not they should be replaced. They will gradually be replaced, just like stone tablets and parchment were replaced. People just feel nostalgic about whatever type of media they grew up with and are reluctant to let it go, even if it is for the best. I am not saying it is best, but it simply is.

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Peggy 2012/07/29 03:10:38

No, printed books are more appropriate for students.

+2
As a teacher, I am all for learning through technology and know the importance of my students knowing how to use computers, however, there are times when computers don't work. I also realize that e-books do save the environment and are easier to update. Just don't want kids to grow up not knowing how to open a book.

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rubenre... to Peggy 2012/07/29 04:35:40

+1
Is it harder to read a tablet on a bright sunny day? Some people like epileptics have trouble reading from computer screens.

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psiEnergos to rubenre... 2012/07/29 05:03:02

There are screens designed to address both of the concerns you mentioned.

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Peggy to rubenre... 2012/07/29 13:24:40

good point, What about dyslexia?

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it'skrissie!d:) 2012/07/29 03:02:59

Yes, that's what technology is for!

+1
I mean, obviously if you ask me if I rather read a book or a kindle, I'll tell you a book. And there are flaws to doing this, but as a student, it would take off a lot of stress and make things a lot more easier to keep up with.

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TiffanyBelle 2012/07/29 02:45:41

Yes, that's what technology is for!

+1
at my 16 year old son's new High School they are providing each student w/ an ipad and internet in school to save on book costs, xeroxes and such. i for one think it's about time for the technology to start being used in the classroom. the desktops at each desk are no longer what's most cost effective and i think that the ipad concept is a good one as they can carry 1 small bag to accomodate the days worth of material and always have what they need.
I recall carrying like 8 books around w/ me in HS and the load on my back was a little much. between the papers in my notebook and each class' textbook it was a lot to keep track of and carry around. looks like that 1 shoulder slouch is a thing of the past :-)

Go technology!!!

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pepper5419 2012/07/29 02:02:52

Maybe in some classrooms, but not all.

+1
Why are college books so expensive anyway? If it's cheaper yeah why not.

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rubenre... to pepper5419 2012/07/29 04:40:29

+2
Agree if it is and remains cheaper but there is nothing to keep the ebook company from charging you an arm and a leg for a download

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Muver 2012/07/29 01:53:59

Maybe in some classrooms, but not all.

+1
I think the printed material is more important in most cases...but some classes, might benefit with a tablet or e book...I just am not sure which ones...plus, that puts more hardship on most parents...

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Jada_Ringo 2012/07/29 00:59:09

Maybe in some classrooms, but not all.

+1
I rarely use textbooks anyways, if you have a laptop, you're pretty much set. Almost all textbooks needed for school are online.

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Bulbasaurus Rex. 2012/07/29 00:58:40

No, printed books are more appropriate for students.

+3
I can't read off of a screen for too long before I get a headache.
I would not be able to handle using a tablet for school.

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imsmarter 2012/07/29 00:36:56

Maybe in some classrooms, but not all.

+1
I don't think it should be a requirement. But it would save some trees, and I remember those books being so heavy when I was a kid.

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michael.reeves.3150 2012/07/29 00:24:08

Maybe in some classrooms, but not all.

+1
that would be good for schools just make sure they get them back.

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the_old_coach 2012/07/29 00:18:49

Yes, that's what technology is for!

+1
It will happen sooner than later.

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Yuki ~ ♦Lion King of PHÆT♦ 2012/07/29 00:09:04

Yes, that's what technology is for!

+4
Here's why:

Textbooks are heavy, and they're expensive. They use a lot of paper, and are easily lost or defaced.

If it were possible to get an eBook version of all of my textbooks, I would. It would mean I could actually wear a backpack again, instead of using a rolling one, and everything would be organized and together.

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k fleming 2012/07/28 23:45:54

Maybe in some classrooms, but not all.

+1
I'm a new pilot, tablets and GPS are great but nothing beats the reliability of paper.
There are all kinds of things that can happen to technology, varying from battery failure to Coronal Mass Ejections. We still need to know how to use scratch paper and pencil, even if only a fallback.

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mblack 2012/07/28 23:33:26

Yes, that's what technology is for!

+1
Let's evolve. I do agree printed text is good to have on record but technology is so much better. Kids can identify or sound out words much better since you can adjust the spacing between text. Don't know a word, place your finger on it and get webster's definition. I think there are more pros than cons. Our country needs to get kids up to speed in tech and engineering, not just updating facebook and twitter.

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Loser lollipop 2012/07/28 23:30:46

No, printed books are more appropriate for students.

+1
Unless ereaders were provided for all students at no cost the way printed books have been, it would not be fair to enforce required ebooks rather than standard textbooks

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Josh 2012/07/28 23:18:24

Yes, that's what technology is for!

+1
it would save money and maybe more children and young adults might be more into there work if technology it might sound sad but its true young people may work better and more efficiantlly and quicker

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Anonymouse BN-0 ~bibbityboo~ 2012/07/28 23:16:19

Maybe in some classrooms, but not all.

+1
It depends. As long as they're not easily breakable and they're not much not expensive than having textbooks...

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samira 2012/07/28 22:44:41

Yes, that's what technology is for!

+1
Yes text books are getting old

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Squatch 2012/07/28 22:28:14

No, printed books are more appropriate for students.

+2
EMF is not good. It has been linked to insomnia and ADHD. Also, I think studies will be done in the future that show because of the back-light on computers they are easier to see and as a result the muscles of the eye do not work as hard. Leading to people needing glasses sooner as they age.

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