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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

This is a 360 degree viewpoint of The Maker Movement inspiring a reemergence and metamorphosis of art and STEM in the classroom. The focus of learning can be on inventiveness and creativity rather than being so heavily on standardized testing that is devoid of engagement. Mobile learning is a part of this movement. This is of high interest to me because I think it will give our culture a positive new energy that will uplift our economy and increase production. This will be production not focused on consumerism but production grounded in meaning. The future needs people that can create solutions to world problems.

"With the help of HTEA's 21st Century Learning Specialist, Mr. Meyers, we chose six current apps for the children in my class to rate and review. They were asked to play the app for 5 minutes, and then, they wrote their favorite and least favorite features. After testing all the apps, they voted on their favorite ones."