eBooks vs. Print: The Oversimplified Debate

With the falling prices of ebook devices there is increasing discussion about the impact of Kindles, nooks, iPads, Sony eReaders, and the like on children and teens. Specifically, what will be the impact on school classroom book sets, textbooks, and libraries? The short and honest answer is: no one knows. Any predictions made now are being made during volatile times in education and publishing, not to mention our changing economy which will no doubt play a huge role in whatever changes await the use of books in classrooms across our country. It seems many want to make the conversation of ebooks into a print vs. ebook debate which is simplistic and ultimately a disservice to readers. For sure, these devices provide quicker and easier access to information, but it's more complicated than just book access.

A number of schools have recently added ebook readers to their circulating library collections. It will be interesting to see in the next few years how use of ebook devices shakes out in schools. With these new additions there has been much debate among librarians, teachers, and administrators.

Let’s examine:

1. What are the benefits of print or electronic?

Obviously, access and the ability to carry an entire library on one device are the two biggest benefits of an ereader. I love having my nook when I travel!

When I demoed my nook for some of the avid readers at my school, I was surprised that they were pretty disinterested. (I did talk with them individually so they were not influenced by each other) Their responses were invariably that they preferred the print for their personal reading. In their words the ereaders “are too distracting” with additional features that they didn’t want for personal reading and that they already spend “too much time in front of computers”. In other words, for them part of the experience of reading is stepping away from the technology that rules their world, and becoming engrossed in the world of a book which they felt they couldn’t do with an ereader. I would never presume that all teens feel this way, this was only the perspective of those I spoke with at my particular school. This is where schools and libraries need to prepare for providing multiple formats to support all users.

A small number of schools have either gotten rid of their entire print collection, or the majority of the print collection. Under almost any circumstances this is shortsighted. The exception would be an outdated print collection or one in poor physical condition, which is in either case no good to readers. Again, the purpose of the book, how the reader will use it, and the readers' preferred format need to be considered. Why purge a perfectly good collection with many books that are most likely out of print, but not yet in the public domain which would then cut access?


2. Which format is more user-friendly?

This is where purpose becomes the big question. How can it be determined which format is more user-friendly unless we know and understand for what purpose it is being used? What I personally have observed is that for research purposes my students generally like non-fiction and reference ebooks for their search and e-mail capabilities. Exceptions to this usually depend on the topic being researched.

3. Will using ebooks really help prepare students for a 21st Century World?

This is the big question right now, which for now doesn’t have an answer and really only raises more questions. Only time will tell us as changes in technology, economy, and business are occurring so rapidly. Consider though, that the printed word has been around for centuries(and I believe will continue to be around alongside a digital counterpart). How long will the Kindle, nook, or iPad be around? How long will Adobe formats be used? What happens when entire ebook collections need to be transferred to a new format, device, or both? Will collections be lost? How do we prepare students to constantly adapt to the continual technological changes that will occur throughout their lives?

4. Will there be any challenges for students without computer or internet access if ebooks are adopted across the board, which is slowly being done in some schools?

This is a question that is raised often, but if schools are able to provide ebook devices to all students internet access should not be a stumbling block. Once they download a book (which they can do on a school computer) they do not need the internet to read the book.

This does raise another interesting point. If schools give out internet capable devices to students, how do we manage online security issues when they are outside of the school building and what legal complications will arise?

5. What are the costs associated with both?

It’s still too early to predict the long-term costs of ebooks. The publishing industry and online distributors are still battling this one. For right now, you may save a few dollars on a new ebook release, but not much on older books unless they are in the public domain. The cost of purchasing ebook readers is really the big issue here because in this economy how many schools have money to purchase a $100 device for every student?

6. Finally, which format helps our students to become better readers and engage critical thinking skills?

It will take years to determine the true effectiveness of ebooks compared to print. As I observe my students click and skim their way through the web I do wonder though, how much econtent actually gets read from ereaders? I’d like to see some concrete research. (Hoping that someone at Pew decides to research this at some point.)

For now, I feel that the ebook conversation has been overly simplified into a print vs. ebook debate. There are just too many variables in how we use and read (e)books to reduce the conversation to either/or. It will take time to see how ebooks impact our reading and learning in the long-term, and find the answers to some of these questions. Personally, I love both my print and ereader and I hope that as the ebook revolution calms down they both will be able to live in harmony although how that will be done remains to be seen!

A New Beginning!

So, here I go starting up a new blog! In today’s world there are changes happening daily in the way students learn, the way we teach, and in the way we all share and publish information. Here I will attempt to reflect and engage conversations on some of those changes. The most effective way to make sense of these changes is to share and dialogue observations and reflections. Oh, and I for sure will post book reviews!!