pros and cons of digital textbooks source:chicago tribune lifestyle published: august 7, 2013
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Pros and Cons of Digital Textbooks Source:Chicago Tribune Lifestyle Published: August 7, 2013 By : Katie Miller. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-08-07/features/ct-x-0807-college-kids-eyes-20130807_1_print-textbooks-digital-textbooks-computer-vision-syndrome. E-books. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Pros and Cons of Digital Textbooks
Source:Chicago Tribune LifestylePublished: August 7, 2013
By: Katie Miller
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-08-07/features/ct-x-0807-college-kids-eyes-20130807_1_print-textbooks-digital-textbooks-computer-vision-syndrome
E-books ● College students who study with digital textbooks perform
just as well on tests as do their peers who use print
textbooks
● colleges and universities are looking at the pros and cons of
using digital textbooks
● Did an experiment where About half of the 233 participants
used print textbooks, while the others used iPad 2 hand-held
computers.
.
Highlights of the E-books● Super convenient ● You can get your books on a laptop, iPad, or
even on your phone● The participants say that it was very easy to
navigate the material● The professors like digital texts because they
can provide more current material than print textbooks, which can take a year or two to get to print.
Cons of the E-books● The biggest drawbacks of digital texts cited by the participants
were eye strains, cost and potential technological problems.● One person even said they were nauseous after just a short
time reading. ● The medical term is "computer vision syndrome" said Dr.
Dennis Siemsen.● The problem is threefold:
○ One is accommodation○ Second, many devices are back-lit so you're staring at a bright
screen○ Third, we tend to have our eyes wide open when looking at a
screen, as opposed to partially open when we hold a book.
Continuation ● The students are also worried about
the cost.● All student also can’t afford the best
devices.● Students said they also worry
about not being able to access digital texts because of mechanical problems such as low battery life.
● Some participants just prefer to hold a book in their hands and turn the pages.
How does it change education?● The e-books make it more convenient.● They are more eco friendly● Keeps up with this technology focused
society of today.● They provide more current information giving
student the best resources.● Multitasking
VIDEOhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=JcJclgSJ0Fc
My Opinion● Personally I like textbooks because I like to have a book in
my hands.● I like writing notes in a book instead of typing them.● I disagree with the article though, because sometimes e-
books are cheaper than regular books.(depends on if you're buying or renting etc.)
● I personally can’t concentrate for long staring at a screen.● I think it is good for the fact that now a days technology is so
important.● You don’t have to carry so many heavy books.
Questions● Do you think that over the next 5 years
books will still be used or will everything be e-books?
● Would you personally rather used textbooks or e-books, and why?
● Do you think there is a difference in learning from an e-book and a textbook?