E-Readers

I recently read an article about a Scholastic study on digital reading. According to the NY Times article, which surveyed over 2,000 children ranging in age from 6-17, 25% of the children had already used a digital reading device, with 57% overall showing interest in reading digitally. There is a huge discrepancy between want and availability, however, since only 6% of these children's parents actually own a digital reader. Even with the other 16% that plan to buy one, that still does not meet the needs/wants of all 57% that showed interest.

So who does that leave to meet their needs? Schools!

I think that schools should survey their students about digital readers and if the interest matches that of this study, I think it is worth the investment. I think about all of the students who claim that they do not like to read and think that maybe this is a way to reach them! The article focused on reading for fun, not textbook reading, so if 57% of the students would read for fun on the digital device, I wonder how many of the 2,000 students would prefer their textbooks to be on these devices as well. But going back to recreational reading... I think that so many students would rather play video games, text, or play on the computer than read, and if this will draw some of them back in, it should be attempted! This plays into our topic this week about adolescent reading. If readers are more interested in reading, then they are more likely to put in an concerted effort and learn more! If we can pique interest of students, so much is possible!

Parents surveyed agreed as well, with 83% of parents stating that they would allow or even encourage their children to use digital readers. What this says to me is either parents hadn't considered digital readers until this survey, much as I hadn't until we read about 21st Century Learning, or they cannot afford to purchase this device. Parents and schools need to work together to discuss options for providing these to students that are interested! One thing I know is that after hearing so much about this device, I have now changed my mind and want a digital reader!

Textbooks are here to stay, at least for the time being, but I think this is a viable option to get students more motivated to read texts... and also lighten the load in their backpacks! Students would have access to any book at any time on one small device.

Here are some links with more information about the study and about e-readers:
Tech News Daily article about survey
Scholastic's Kids and Family Reading Reports
New Study on Reading in the Digital Age: Parents Say Electronic, Digital Devices Negatively Affects Kids' Reading Time
U.S. News & World Report: New Kindle E-Reader Enters Textbook Market This article contains comments from college students and educators as to their opinions about e-textbooks.
Textbooks Ditched at Clearwater, FL High School
EDU in Review Blog: iPad E-Book Reader to Offer Textbooks