THE EMERGENCE OF THE E-READER: Another Technology Phenomenon

Define--The Oxford Dictionary of English E-Book--An electronic version of a printed book. E-books may be read on e-readers, personal computers, and cell phones. E-Reader--a dedicated hardware device that reads e-text.

Electronic digital reading may include: Books Newspapers Speeches Other written works

Major Topics Address in Paper How will e-readers affect education? What government regulations need to be considered? Univeral Design for Learners, Assistive Technology, and the E-reader. E-readers are compared. …General features. …Accessibility features. Will the e-book replace the paperback?

COMPARING E-READERS Vision E-Ink (reads like ink on paper)--Kindle 3, Sony Reader. LCD screens could create eye strain. Talking menus--iPad, Kindle 3. Text-to Speech--iPad and Kindle 3. Marked Buttons--Kindle 3. Audio Books--iPad, Kindle 3, Nook, Sony Reader. MP3--iPad, Kindle 3, Nook, Sony Reader. Font Sizes--iPad (6), Kindle 3 (8), Nook (6), Sony Reader (6). Zoom--iPad, Kindle 3, Sony Reader. Color Contrast--iPad, Nook, Sony Reader.

Hearing Impairments iPad only visually represents audio information. Kindle 3, Nook, and Sony Reader do not have this option at this time.

Cognitive Disabilities Simple Interface--iPad, Nook, Sony Reader. Text Tracking--None of these devices. Recognition over Recall--iPad, Nook.

Mobility Impairments Needs Vary Touch Screen--iPad. Arrow Keys--Kindle 3, Nook, Sony Reader. Large Buttons--iPad, Kindle 3, Nook, Sony Reader. Add Keyboard Alternatives--iPad (wireless). Custom Stylus--iPad. Voice Navigation--iPad (Jailbreak), Kindle 3. Device Weight--iPad (1.5 lbs.), Kindle 3 (8.5 oz.), Nook (12.1 oz.), Sony Reader (7.58 oz.).

P R I C E A Major Factor iPad--$499 Kindle 3--$139 (best value with many features at an affordable price) Nook--$149 Sony Reader--$199

E-readers in Education Expectations in Schools: Too Soon to Predict Students Improved reading skills. Improved interest in reading. Convenient 24/7 access to books. No carrying textbooks

Administration Improved reading scores on standardized tests. Budgeting--E-books and E-textbooks will be replaced at a reduced cost. Libraries --completely digital.

E-Readers Connect Curricula to Technology E-readers lend themselves to Universal Design for Learning: present content in different ways, differentiate ways students can express themselves, and stimulate interest. E-books and e-readers, another way of introducing content and stimulating interest.

E-readers and Accessibility Laws IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)--educational institutions must provide an equal opportunity to education to all students. NIMAS (National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard) is a recent addition to IDEA--guides publishers in producing accessible textbooks (Braille, audio, e-text, large print).

Attitudes Toward the Elimination of Paper Books Seventh grade student at Chambersburg Middle School in PA “I love using the Kindle, and I’m going to the library more because of it.” Head Librarian in Chambersburg School District in PA “I had a child in a reluctant reader group…handed her a Kindle and said she’d have the novel in 30 seconds, she was thrilled.” James Tracy, headmaster of Cushing Academy in Boston, MA “In think it’s very clear that the future of reading…is electronic- based.” Scholastic 2010 Survey of six to eight year olds “they were more likely than their older counterparts to have read an e-book.”

Electronic Books Meet Resistance Library Director, Wellesley, MA “That’s galling…to see books as just words…I think a book is more than that.” A survey revealed college student attitudes: “The screen won’t go blank in a paper book.” “It wouldn’t be the same without books.” “There can’t be a virus.”

WILL THE PAST PREDICT THE FUTURE? Who would have believed public schools would provide… …hand-held calculators? (1960s) …classrooms of computers? (2000s) …and now electronic books? (2011)