[Year 12 IPM] Digital textbooks
Laurie Savage
sav at pvgc.vic.edu.au
Tue Sep 5 12:05:38 EST 2006
My own feeling about digital textbooks is pretty simple. If I can't curl
up in the hammock under a tree with a beer and read it, then I don't
want to know about it!
On a slightly more scientific note I worked in Telecom's Market Planning
Branch in the 1970s as a Senior Research Officer. We were looking at
videophones, textel, teletext etc. and commissioned some work from the
sociologist Sol Encel at NSW Uni. He reviewed the literature on the
physiology of reading text on video screens and paper and found there is
a basis for the fatigue we feel when reading large chunks on screen. It
is to do with the on-screen rastering and subsequent decoding of the
image in the brain. This process is more energy consuming and uses more
parts of the brain than reading non-flickering text on paper. Basically
retention rates after reading on-screen material are less than reading
paper based text while fatigue rates are higher.
As a personal test, go to Project Gutenberg, download your favourite
classic and
1) Try reading it on screen,
2) Print it on A4 and read it, and
3) Print it in 10pt Roman on smaller format paper using
no more than 65 characters per line.
If you are like the rest of us, option 3 is most comfortable. Publishers
and print designers have known this for a couple of centuries!
Laurie
Diane Peat wrote:
> Our school introduced the digital textbook a few years ago too. I thought it
> would be wonderful - screens with limited text so it was easy for students
> (particularly NESBs) to understand, well explained concepts, good
> worksheets, etc. It was a total failure - students like something tangible
> on which to scribble their own explanations of words comments/theories they
> don't understand. I spent the entire year photocopying! Never again. They
> are a great resource, but for us, the textbook was much better.
>
> Diane Peat
> Firbank Grammar School
> 51 Outer Crescent
> BRIGHTON VIC 3186
> Telephone 9591 5188
> Email dpeat at firbank.vic.edu.au
> Web www.firbank.vic.edu.au
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]On
> Behalf Of Jim Bunn
> Sent: Tuesday, 5 September 2006 9:58 AM
> To: 'Year 12 Information Technology Processing and
> ManagementTeachers'Mailing List'
> Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
>
> We did that here as well, and had to endure it for three years, because at
> our school, once you introduce a new textbook you can't change it for three
> years (unless the study design changes). Our kids much prefer a real
> textbook, as do I.
>
> Jim
>
>
> Jim Bunn
> CCNA CCAI ITE1
> Technology Coordinator
> Hampton Park Secondary College
> Victoria Australia
> 8795 9400
>
> bunn.jim.c at edumail.vic.gov.au
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On
> Behalf Of Keith Richardson
> Sent: Monday, 4 September 2006 6:08 PM
> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
> Teachers'Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
>
> we did that for one year in IP&M and the kids hated it (and they are
> very computer literate - long live paper!
> Keith
>
>
> On Mon, 04 Sep 2006 17:26:14 +1000, "Sam Denniston"
> <samdenniston at iprimus.com.au> said:
>>
>> I can think of no greater torture than being forced to navigate through
>> and
>> read a textbook on a laptop.
>>
>>
>> On 4/9/06 3:18 PM, "Mark Scott" <msc at staff.luther.vic.edu.au> wrote:
>>
>>> Royce
>>>
>>> In the words of the immortal Billy S
>>>
>>> ³Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
>>> Or close the wall up with our English dead.
>>> In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
>>> As modest stillness and humility;
>>> But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
>>> Then imitate the action of the tiger:
>>> Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.²
>>>
>>> To be short, you have no idea what you are talking about.
>>>
>>> They said the same thing about calculators back in the early seventies.
>>>
>>> Cordially yours
>>> Mark Scott
>>> Luther College
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
> On
>>> Behalf Of Royce Williams
>>> Sent: Monday, 4 September 2006 2:51 PM
>>> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
>>> Teachers'MailingList
>>> Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
>>>
>>> Where to start
>>>
>>> The theory that every student should own and bring to class a laptop is
> of
>>> course one of the biggest educationalist crap shoots ever. With changes
> in the
>>> Internet / increased home ownership of computers /increased home
> broadband
>>> /USB memory down to 59$ per gig /pod casting/ VCE and drafting ...
> Remember
>>> that ... I think student carried lippies should be well dead by now.
>>>
>>> However Pods ?COWs individual laptops taken into classes is very valid.
>>> Particularly in science .. Which not only has specialist rooms but have
> a huge
>>> amount of simulation and other programs that can be used.
>>>
>>> We have for student use here about 150 laptops that can be borrowed by
> classes
>>> and individually. We don't use trolleys here due to physical layout of
> school.
>>> But bringing technology to students is better than making them lockstep
> to a
>>> "special" room .. Not withstanding that we have specialist computer
> areas
>>> (music/multimedia/art) and two full size computer rooms for when they
> are
>>> appropriate.
>>>
>>> Laptops do cost more than equivalent desktops because of more expensive
> PSU's
>>> / batteries and LCD screens .. Tho the difference is rapidly falling.
> However
>>> you also need a better constructed laptop to survive the rigours of
> school
>>> life than you do a desk top. So hopping to get several years out of a
> sub
>>> $1000 laptop is a forlorn hope.
>>> E.G. you might run DELL or Acer in your labs but you need the IBM or HP
> in
>>> your laptops.
>>>
>>>
>>> Here students are not allowed in Computer rooms without supervision (in
>>> theory) .. In Middle school it leads off the Library .. No problems ..
> But
>>> senior school is really a problem with damage .. I need to put a teacher
> on a
>>> couch in there ... Rofl.
>>> However there are 12 computers in the senior Library for student use as
> well.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Royce Williams
>>> Manager Information Technology
>>> Billanook College
>>> 197-199 Cardigan Rd
>>> Mooroolbark 3138
>>> Victoria Australia
>>> Tel: 61-3-9725 5388; Fax: 61-3-9725 8556
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
> On
>>> Behalf Of Cameron
>>> Sent: Friday, 1 September 2006 10:22 AM
>>> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
> Teachers'Mailing
>>> List
>>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
>>>
>>>
>>> Apologies if this appears more than once - forgot to change identity.
> :(
>>> Let me say that Laptop computers are not a fad. Once seen as a way that
>>> private schools could "show off", they are now very mainstream in
> schools,
>>> business and homes. Laptops are a superb solution to mobility and "where
> are
>>> we going to fit in some more computers?". They have a role to play where
>>> appropriate.
>>> I would give my right arm for the ability of my Science classes to be
> able to
>>> wheel in a set of notebooks to record prac results and create reports in
> real
>>> time *in the lab*.
>>> Each of our Yr 7 classes have their own trolley of 12 notebooks (1
> between 2
>>> model) that they take to each class. They are responsible for their own
>>> trolley which has helped reduce damage as they have a sense of
> ownership. The
>>> notebooks have helped many teachers transform the way they teach. Having
>>> immediate access to the technology without need to organise room-swaps
> or
>>> book computer rooms allows teachers to teach and students to learn "on
> the
>>> fly" if needed. You don't need to plan to have "a computer lesson", you
> just
>>> integrate the ICT as needed. The change we have seen in just 8 months is
>>> astounding.
>>> As mentioned the "bang for your buck" works out well in favour of
> desktops,
>>> but only if you think in terms of hardware costs. I would place a great
> deal
>>> more weight on "educational bang for your buck" when considering between
> the
>>> two and notebooks rapidly catch or even surpass desktops when that is
>>> factored in.
>>> Given the amount of use the laptops have had, they are holding up
> remarkably
>>> well. We have had one badly damaged case that will cost in the region of
> $800
>>> to repair. OUCH! - may as well buy a new one. We have had a bit of
> trouble
>>> with some keys being removed, but when you think of the amount of time
> they
>>> are used for, it isn't too bad.
>>>
>>> We are probably looking at a bit of both. We are having trouble deciding
> where
>>> we can store the trolleys securely and at the same time, where we can
> fit in
>>> more desktops. It is great to have the technology out of sight until you
> need
>>> it and then you can place it on the same desks without the need for
>>> additional furniture or desks.
>>>
>>> If it is foreseen that students will one day have their own personal
> computers
>>> in whatever form they may take, we may as well start now and develop
> teaching
>>> methods and courses that use the current mobile technology. I believe a
>>> graduated development of teaching pedagogy will be more useful than
> waiting
>>> and trying to shift over to a new style once it has been deemed that
> enough
>>> students have access to make it worthwhile.
>>>
>>> Cheers
>>> Cameron
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thursday 31 August 2006 20:12, Stephen Digby wrote:
>>>>> Just got a single notebook trolley with 10 ACERs much against my
>>>>> recomendation. Hope that the machines last..... In the past, I have
>>>>> had bad experience with notebooks in classrooms - more than twice the
>>>>> price (esp. including more frequent amd much more expensive repairs);
>>>>> last less than half service life (include downtime); less classroom
>>>>> efficiency for teacher (get trolley, supervise handout, supervise
> use,
>>>>> wait till students start them up, supercvise return to trolley c
>>>>> correct connections to chargers; return trolley and plug in)
>>>>>
>>>>> Think that this is a very temporary fad until students all have
>>>>> "personal" computers as seamlessly as they have phones.....
>>>>>
>>>>>
>> ===========================================================================
>>>>> = ==========
>>>>> Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager
>>>>> mailto:admin at cheltsec.vic.edu.au
>>>>> Cheltenham Secondary College www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au
>>>>> <http://www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au/> Ph: 613 955 55 955 Fx: 9555 8617
>>>>>
> ===========================================================================
>>>>> = ==========
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> An empty stomach is not a good political advisor.
>>>>> Albert Einstein
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _____
>>>>>
>>>>> From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
>>>>> On Behalf Of Robert Minato
>>>>> Sent: 31 August 2006 03:37 PM
>>>>> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
>>>>> Teachers'Mailing List
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Our school does not let students into computer rooms unless under
>>>>> teacher supervision. We have three computer classrooms and another
>>>>> computer room attached to the library. Students are allowed to use
>>>>> library computers whenever library is open.
>>>>>
>>>>> We have recently gone down the path of setting up three cows
>>>>> (computers on wheels). The library staff take bookings for these
>>>>> laptop trolleys; nine laptops per trolley. Teachers book the cows and
>>>>> can use them in any classroom. The advantage I have found with the
>>>>> cows is that you can sometimes just book one cow as not all students
>>>>> need a computer at the same time; ie others are doing prac tasks.
>>> On Thursday 31 August 2006 20:12, Stephen Digby wrote:
>>>>> Just got a single notebook trolley with 10 ACERs much against my
>>>>> recomendation. Hope that the machines last..... In the past, I have
>>>>> had bad experience with notebooks in classrooms - more than twice the
>>>>> price (esp. including more frequent amd much more expensive repairs);
>>>>> last less than half service life (include downtime); less classroom
>>>>> efficiency for teacher (get trolley, supervise handout, supervise
> use,
>>>>> wait till students start them up, supercvise return to trolley c
>>>>> correct connections to chargers; return trolley and plug in)
>>>>>
>>>>> Think that this is a very temporary fad until students all have
>>>>> "personal" computers as seamlessly as they have phones.....
>>>>>
>>>>>
>> ===========================================================================
>>>>> = ==========
>>>>> Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager
>>>>> mailto:admin at cheltsec.vic.edu.au
>>>>> Cheltenham Secondary College www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au
>>>>> <http://www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au/> Ph: 613 955 55 955 Fx: 9555 8617
>>>>>
> ===========================================================================
>>>>> = ==========
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> An empty stomach is not a good political advisor.
>>>>> Albert Einstein
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _____
>>>>>
>>>>> From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
>>>>> On Behalf Of Robert Minato
>>>>> Sent: 31 August 2006 03:37 PM
>>>>> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
>>>>> Teachers'Mailing List
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Our school does not let students into computer rooms unless under
>>>>> teacher supervision. We have three computer classrooms and another
>>>>> computer room attached to the library. Students are allowed to use
>>>>> library computers whenever library is open.
>>>>>
>>>>> We have recently gone down the path of setting up three cows
>>>>> (computers on wheels). The library staff take bookings for these
>>>>> laptop trolleys; nine laptops per trolley. Teachers book the cows and
>>>>> can use them in any classroom. The advantage I have found with the
>>>>> cows is that you can sometimes just book one cow as not all students
>>>>> need a computer at the same time; ie others are doing prac tasks.
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>>
> Keith Richardson
>
>
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--
Laurie Savage
===============================================
Student Assessment, Reporting and Tracking
Pascoe Vale Girls College, Pascoe Vale, Vic, AU
+613 9306 2544
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