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Divided as researchers sort out whether readers of tablets or textbooks perform better. As well as hidden costs of mobile devices.

I tried sharing comments using Evernote as an experiment. I don't think it worked, so here is what I had posted there: The Future of Education: Tablets vs. Textbooks BY MARGARET ROCK "Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt tested an interactive, digital version of an Algebra 1 textbook for Apple's iPad in California's Riverside Unified School District. Students who used the iPad version scored 20 percent higher on standardized tests versus students who learned with traditional textbooks." * This is interesting. It's noted later in the article that students who read a more traditional textbook in digital format, without the benefit of the bells and whistles of a book designed to play on the strengths of digital media, did no better than those reading paper books. My thinking on this is that the books that moved beyond just the traditional text and images were more intriguing because they allowed students to interact in more diverse ways with the information. One of the reasons I enjoy reading on my Nook is that it more closely resembles the experience of reading on paper. The advantage over paper is that I can annotate and highlight without damaging the book, plus I like the dictionary feature. Reading a book on a computer is not as rewarding as reading on a good quality reader. The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt folks add much more to the experience through videos, audio links, animations, and links to ancillary information while maintaining the options I mentioned in my Nook experience. It's more engaging because there's more to do and more of the senses are being addressed. "A small but growing number of researchers are uncovering evidence that readers are better able to remember what they read in printed books long-term when compared to materials read via an electronic screen, raising questions about tablets in the classroom." "For example, Kate Garland, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Leicester in England, conducted a study on the effects of e-books

The Future of Education: Tablets vs. Textbooks

Wonderful way to have text read to you with Ivona voices on android.

Most people like speech to text, but I think text to speech is equally important. And while IOS native TtoS is good Voice Dream Reader looks great.

Direct quote: "Last year, we rolled out an ereader lending program in my fifth and sixth grade school library, and I plan to share here the ups, downs, and what-to-look-out-fors we encountered along the way. We'll talk planning and implementation of the program-but first, a bit of background. Let's hop into the librarian time machine (fashioned from an old card catalog I found on Etsy) and go back to August 2011…." This article spoke clearly to me with its tongue-in-cheek, soup to nuts look at a librarian's dilemma. Clearly, the votes not in yet and might never be. What to choose, how best to manage??? A very graphic, accessible article about the challenges of selection, purchasing and management of e-readers told from a school librarian's perspective. The author strikes a balance between humor and pragmatism, offering concrete suggestions, research and strategies. 

"Most smartphones and tablet devices have a range of accessibility features built in, such as screen readers and the ability to enlarge the screen, though these vary between devices. Some have functions that are not specifically designed for people with disabilities but may be particularly useful for them - voice search, for example, allows you to say what you want to search for rather than type"

"Everything you need to create your own digital publications - for free!" Also figures, tables and examples can be displayed with all references being automatically renumbered if you move them, MP3 audio files and YouTube videos can be embedded, you can add bookmarks (by clicking on a heading and once again on the star icon that appears), and do a lot more besides. But, most importantly, the eML Reader application has been written using cross-browser JavaScript, so it functions on all major platforms and web browsers, including Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux-and it runs very well on the Apple iPad, Iphone, and iPod Touch, and on Google Android devices too.

This App GETS a REVAMP and looks like it will be a huge workflow solution.

An excellent short summary of some of the issues Ed Tech Specialists experience when working / supporting iPads and how to correct them. This article is a great PD piece to share with teachers returning from iPad workshops thinking they are now integrating technology into their classroom. It is a reminder that good class content, lesson planning and intentional tech integration are the keys to success with the iPad (or any mobile device for that matter).