SCHOOL FOR THOUGHT

Can U spell K-I-N-D-L-E?

Picking up on Malkin’s March 2nd post, Pandora’s Box, about computers in the classroom, I suggest that we beware of gifts in smaller packages.  The latest technological classroom fad is the e-reader, which has revolutionized the book industry.  Avid fans (and I should mention I envy them) of e-readers sing their praises.  But the jury is out on their classroom use.

Two articles that caught my attention.  The first reports on an Illinois elementary school that has introduced the Kindle e-reader into the classroom to get students “excited about reading.”  The e-reader also has a read-aloud feature that the school says will help some students learn to sound out words.  The other headline juxtaposes with these words:  OMG! textspeak in schoolwork .  The report goes on to say that teachers at Vancouver, WA schools are concerned at the amount of texting lingo that is creeping into serious school assignments.  Here’s an example: “i luv Romeo & Juliet cuz u get to c how in luv the 2 caractrz r :p”  Translation please.

“It’s easy, and we’re lazy,” said 17-year-old Ben Lyons, a senior at Heritage High School. “We like to take the easy route.”

And this doesn’t mean that the easy way is the better way:

While shorthand writing is handy for texting, it just causes problems in the classroom, 17-year-old Derrick Easley said. While he may spend less time writing the assignment, he spends more time editing and correcting the work, he said.

Is all this worth the cost?  (Keep in mind an e-reader costs a few hundred dollars and when handled by hundreds of kids will certainly have to take a lot of abuse!)  Will this translate into improved student achievement?  Or are we creating another problem that will need solving?

So, readers what do you think?