In recent years textbook publishers have been offering digital and online supplements to justify the exorbitant prices they charge for physical books. As long as print is the primary means of communication in primary, secondary, and higher education the major publishers will continue to monopolize the market. Amazon’s Kindle and other e-readers are making it possible for smaller publishers to get their content into the hands of students. However, the processing and display limitations of e-readers is preventing their use from becoming widespread. Also, learning is becoming increasingly student centered, interactive, and media driven. As such, single display e-readers without color are becoming antiques before they even hit the market. The best possible solution would be a netbook sized device with dual displays and some sort of stylus input. One display would be a dedicated e-reader and the other would be dedicated to traditional computing…all of it opensource of course!
I wonder how soon we can get something like that to market.
4 responses so far ↓
Have you looked @ the “Nook” from Barnes & Noble? I think it has a little more to offer than your typical e-reader. You are right about the texts. We just spent millions on hardcover editions that take up space & I hardly use. Rather I like the e editions where the kids can go online & I can provide instant feedback. In a sense, the traditional classroom needs to be redesigned. Technology should be abundant. But who wants to fund that?
You mean something like the OLPC XO-2?
http://blog.laptopmag.com/first-look-olpc-xo-generation-20
Bill, thanks for that link. That looks like an awesome alternative. However, if I recall correctly, didn’t OLPC do away with the touchscreen version of their laptops in favor of something more traditional/cost effective.
Ah, it appears that they have, sadly, but at least someone else is on your page.
I’m the same way about waiting for someone to make a good color, touch screen calculator to get rid of the crap that TI has monopolized the market with. I wonder if there’s anyone we can pitch a unified machine to anyone.