I am truly excited about the possibilities for changing modalities in how we now define education and whether we , as developing Reading Specialists, having experienced ICT for Reading , will give ourselves a voice in the education system in Trinidad and Tobago. I am truly impressed , not on any superficial level of thinking that I was able to create my own e-Book (although this experience was grand!)but at the possibilities for a new wave in how we educate our students and what we use to meet and treat with their myriad of needs. I have a vision where . . .
Instead of lugging a huge back pack of books, our students will have one small book loaded with all of the material they need. Schools will be provided with a number of readers and we can download books for the readers to fit the curriculum of certain grades. E-Book readers find a place in the classroom as they appeal to a generation growing up with technology. M.Ed. Reading students, isn’t increasing our students’ love of literature /getting our students to love literature one of our fundamental goals? This is an exciting, imaginative and enticing piece of equipment that will facilitate this goal.
I am happy for the concerned parents who once watched their children haul around a heavily loaded backpack.! Add this hassle to the cost of text books and now--- eBooks in the class room look like a natural. Presumably eBook text books will be cheaper than printed books which would be a great benefit! But, not so quick! Text book publishers and bookstores all have a large vested interest in maintaining the status quo. I suspect that consumer pressure will ultimately make them grudgingly change over.
Lee
Lemoy the future in education and ICT is indeed something to look forward to. On the question of text book publishers however. They may not have much say in the event that teachers become more text book savvy. Remember, all you need to access e-books are computers and the internet. Remeber too that every child entering secondary school will be given a laptop.
ReplyDeleteThat being the case students can now log on to Shakespeare or any other literature text choosen by their teacher to be studied and class is in session. This also has implication for the virtual classroom, but that's another blog.
Hi Lemoy,
ReplyDeleteI am also excited by the possibilities eBooks offer. I was blown away by the iBook, now who wouldn't want to read in that medium. Given the cost, it may be out of reach for many students, even I am unable to afford one now, but it is on my wish list. So I think it will be some time before the heavy book bags are replaced.
It was good to know we can use what is readily available to us and still share in and introduce our students to the wonder of eBooks. We only need access to a computer. A simple Goggle web search will provide us access to many free eBooks just waiting to be uploaded.
And for those of us who want more content specific eBooks we can create our own. Power Point, can help us with this. Imagine the possibilities, not only will it be intrinsically motivating for students, the process will promote self efficacy, since, the student while engaging in reading and writing activities can share his or her personal narrative. Students can share their eBooks with peers, friends and family. eBooks can give students a voice and the power of authorship, while they learn literacy skills.
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your input. I understand what you're saying but I'm holding on to my vision while realistically working with what we now have ....the new-found knowledge and skills of M.Ed. Reading students.Donna,I think more than ever we must be the catalysts for the kinds of changes/shifts we want to take place. Now that we've learned to develop our own e-Books, blogs, wikis, concept maps, and digital photostories, what are we going to do with this knowledge?
In a post I made to Shasta, I wrote about the leadership role pertaining to what defines an effective reading specialists. It goes beyond knowledge and skills to embrace attitudes and the value we place on each human being in this society.
Lee