Electronic Reading Devices for Everyone!

Hey Group!

This week, I read the article entitled, “Digital Libraries: Shifting the Landscape,” by Gen Bull and Marth Sites.  As the title implies, the article talks about replacing physical books with digital ones.  In my opinion, I think that making the shift to electronic books presents many opportunities and advantages. 

A main electronic reader that the article mentions is the Kindle, which is becoming increasingly more popular.  It still has imperfections and, “it is best suited for linear content that does not require the user to move quickly from one section to another,” but it gets the job done.  Nielsen states that two major benefits of the Kindle are its, “equal-to-print readability and multi-device integration.”  Therefore, it is just as easy and clear to read text from a Kindle as it is to read text from a physical book, and it allows an individual to read the same book from many different platforms.  For example, a person can start reading a book on their Kindle, then switch to their iPhone if they are out and about, and then later switch back to their Kindle.  I think this is wonderful because often times people want to read, but do not want to brink their book with them everywhere they go, since they tend to be big and bulky at times.  This way, with an electronic device, a person can store their book in their back pocket!  Another benefit to the Kindle is that it, “includes a built-in-text-to-speech option that will recite any book aloud.”  This is a great option for individuals who are visually impaired or who are auditory learners.

School would be drastically different if every student had a Kindle.  Say goodbye to textbook fees!  With the Kindle, students wouldn’t have to worry about their textbook being outdated as soon as it gets published.  They also wouldn’t have to be concerned about what they should do with it when the semester ends.  In my case, I normally sell it back and get about $5.00 for it, when I originally paid $100.00 for it, just to get a semester’s use out of it.  It’s ridiculous!  If I decide not to sell it back, then it ends up just taking up space, as it collects dust in my garage somewhere.  Kindles are also environmentally friendly as they do not require printing paper. 

The article mentions that the University of Virginia is the first school of education to make this digital transition as they are removing all 50,000 physical books from their library and replacing them with electronic ones.  The article also talks about how, “It will become increasingly easier to move between physical and electronic formats- scanning a physical book to create a digital copy or using print-on-demand services to go from electronic to a physical book.”  Another great advantage for converting over to digital books, is that it frees up space in libraries, where physical books usually sit, for things such as, “collaborative knowledge creation and learning.”  With all of this being said, I believe that it will be more beneficial than not to convert to digital readers.  Although they still need improvements, I think that they are our future, and I also think that they provide many great advantages that traditional, physical books simply cannot!

-Madison Pelzel

Yes to Virtual Field Trips!

Hi Group Members! (Travis, April, and Sheila)

After reading the "Beginner's Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trips," I am convinced that virtual field trips (VFT's) are a valuable tool that all teachers should take advantage of.  VTF's are "conducted virtually over the internet" and therefore, they allow students to "learn directly from experts in far-flung places without ever leaving their classrooms."  Although, of course, it would be extremely beneficial for students to go on an actual field trip and get a real world experience, it is not always possible because many locations are inaccessible and "travel costs have steadily risen over the past several years."  Therefore, VFT's make it possible to have a more accessible and less expensive way for students to experience what they are learning.  VFT's have the ability to provide everything that a traditional field trip does and they can be delivered using technology in either asynchronous or interactive synchronous formats.

Asynchronous VFT's are websites that contain text, audio, or video resources about specific topics and they are not delivered in real time.  On the other hand, interactive synchronous VFT's are "real time experiences in which students in one location learn from formal educators in another location."  The videoconferencing equipment needed for this specific type of VFT has the ability to connect "students to talented educators from across the globe who are willing to share their organizations' resources in an engaging and personal way."  Credentialed experts are normally onsite and present live interactive lessons that pertain to their specific organization.  The videoconferencing equipment allows the experts and students to communicate with each other, thus simulating a real world experience.  Experts can usually adjust "to the students' level of comprehension" and the students normally have no problem interacting with an on-screen instructor.  According to the article, students usually "find the experience novel and engaging."  The VFT lessons "often include materials targeted to the students' area and grade level as well as classroom activities for students to do before and after."  VFT's are a very beneficial tool because not only are they convenient, but they also have the ability to provide educational lessons along with real world features.

Now that I am knowledgeable of virtual field trips and everything that they have to offer, I will definitely consider them an option when I begin teaching!

-Madison Pelzel

Blogging is Worth it!

Hi Everyone!


After reading the article, "Is Blogging Worth the Risk?" I  would have to agree with James Maxlow, that blogging is indeed worth the risk.  However, I must admit that before reading this article, I had a preconceived notion that blogging was not worth it. Lisa Nielsen brings up some legitimate points as to why blogging may not be worth the risk, but the statements that Maxlow made really resonated with me and he has actually changed my whole perspective on the issue.  


Maxlow brought up the valid point that blogging is no different than any other social networking site and although we must be careful with what we post, blogging is a form of communication that allows us to express our personal and professional selves.  Another compelling point that Maxlow stated in the article is that, "after we put thoughtful and deliberate care into the personal electronic communications that we make public, we end up having to take responsibility for our comments."  He goes on to say that this is a great way to, "show our students  that effective communication requires us to consider the effects our words might have on our listeners or readers."  This statement conveys a really good message because it is saying that blogs more or less force people to think about what they are going to say before they say it.  This is a good thing because anything that is said could potentially effect someone in a negative way.  Therefore, with blogging, it causes people to think twice about their words, whereas with face to face communication, someone could say something on impulse, that they might later regret.


Blogging opens the door to a whole new world of communication and allows people to connect and share ideas with others.  Blogging is also essential in the education world, because it permits teachers to share their thoughts and experiences with their students. 


-Madison Pelzel