Item #20

I have often thought about the world of Ebooks and how they could change so much of what we do in the academic arena. I watch students walk into the building with these heavy backpacks that are half of their weight. Well, that problem could be solved if we either use an Ebook concept, or put the books on a jump drive and have the students read on the computer vs. a book.

Ebooks will not only be more environmentally friendly, as they would save millions of trees, they would allow students the ability to bring their homework or reading assignments wherever they go in a non bulky method.

I reviewed the Kindle site, and see the benefits of utilizing that system, but I have to say, I'm partial to the idea of an IPAD. If you just want a reader or Ibook system then the Kindle or a device similiar to a kindle would work fine, it enlarges the text, it's a nice size, text appears easy to read, but it's limited to what else it can do. The battery will last as long as a space shuttle mission....ummmm, ok, are we sending kids into space???? If so, can I volunteer a few choice students?

The Kindle is lighter and smaller than the IPOD, has free wireless and has no extra costs associated (monthly charges), so to a parent, having a child have a device ONLY for reading might be beneficial and doesn't tempt the child to download a game to play that instead of working, but I still like the multi-functional use of a IPAD. The downside to an IPAD is that it's heavier, has more items on it to distract from the learning process and requires a monthly service or a wireless connection of some sort.

The online system for downloading an ebook is fairly simple, the google ebook page is very well organized by topic, and I like that they have some of the more popular ebooks there for me to view. When you put your mouse on the book it gives you more information, which is nice.

Overall, I'm hoping that the world of ebooks and ebook readers moves into the academic world sometime in the VERY near future. Now we just need to create an elibrary where you can borrow a book, and when the specific time period is up to borrow a book, it is removed from the reader so that the borrowing system stays in place. Buying books will get costly, borrwing is a system that has worked for over a century since the first public library was established.