Some of the books that are available come at no cost to the user. Many books in the public domain have been converted to digital format. This means many of the literary classics that are required reading for students are free and easily available (Del Siegle, 2012). These free books can be downloaded from Google, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and other book retailers.
Lastly, technology is motivational to students who are learning to read. E-readers can engage readers who previously gave poor attention to reading instruction. The interaction that can now occur between the reader and the text has changed the way that students read. Long gone are the days when students would passively consume words, barely able to comprehend, let alone actively participate. Students are now more active when reading and expect more from a book.
E-books help keep motivation for reading high (Del Siegle, 2012).
Potential Drawbacks
Despite the many benefits of e-readers, there are also some drawbacks. Students who are proficient readers of digital text do a lot of skimming when reading for information. This can be detrimental if students do not recognize the need to read carefully when reading online or on an e-reader. Another problem with e-readers or online texts may be that all the extra features detract from the text, and students do not retain good reading comprehension (Larson, 2012). The use of e-books does not replace the quality instruction that teachers provide in the classroom. E-books, like traditional texts, cannot provide the flexibility, positive relationships, or specific lessons that an effective teacher provides (Cheung & Slavin, 2012). Finally, another drawback for e-readers focuses on the replacement costs as devices are damaged or need to be upgraded.
Getting Started
You may now be asking, "So, how do we get started with e-books in our classroom?" There are many aspects to consider, but first, determine the instructional goals. E-readers should not be used only because they are "cool" and "trendy." E-readers must have a purpose and be used as a tool to meet instructional goals. After determining the goal, then examine how e-readers can help meet those goals. Second, consider which tools and features within the e-reader can be used to meet the goals. For example, if a goal is to help students learn to research information, then using the video, audio, and hyperlinks available in many digital texts can help teach this skill. Finally, consider the following questions and suggestions to make the e-reader implementation work for you.
Considerations for Implementation
How will we use e-readers? Determine how the devices will be utilized in literacy instruction. For partner reading? For independent reading only? Don't overlook this important question because it does matter.
Which device is best? Schools that want to purchase e-readers for the classroom must first determine which device is the best fit for the school (Larson, 2010). After purchasing, you need to make sure that the correct software is installed on the device.
Can students bring their own devices? Many schools are now allowing students to bring their own e-readers to utilize during literacy instruction. However, you must consider this, check your school policy, and determine how you will handle student-owned devices in your classroom.
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