A study released this week looked at the environmental impact of eReading devices and claimed that the carbon emitted in the lifecycle of the ereader was off-set after a year of use or 22.5 books.
The new study finds that e-readers could have a major impact on improving the sustainability and environmental impact on the publishing industry, one of the world’s most polluting sectors. In 2008, the U.S. book and newspaper industries combined resulted in the harvesting of 125 million trees, not to mention wastewater that was produced or its massive carbon footprint.
The report, authored by Emma Ritch, states: “Any additional years of use result in net carbon savings, equivalent to an average of 168 kg of CO2 per year (the emissions produced in the manufacture and distribution of 22.5 books).”
The Cleantech Group forecasts that e-readers purchased from 2009 to 2012 could prevent 5.3 billion kg of carbon dioxide in 2012, or 9.9 billion kg during the four-year time period.
The report also encourages academic institutions to implement pilot testing of e-readers as a replacement to physical textbooks, citing schools such as Princeton University, the University of Virginia, and Arizona State University already leading the way.
It seems the case for eBooks is building.
I am delighted to introduce you to guest blogger Stacey Root. She is the senior contributing writer for Nextinlearning.com. As a single mom and survivor of Postpartum Depression, she shares this life saving idea for those of us with small children just begging to “work!”
“I hear this every day at least 3000 times. Only the first 5 are cute, the rest are just annoying. As a full-time student and writer who works from the corner at home, my pre-schooler sees me working and loves to “work” with me (or press the delete button and erase my whole article). Well, to save the function of my MacBook, I purchased a mini-laptop for my boys and my pre-schooler was hired.
I struggled with what sites, what games, what puzzles and having to assist him, mouse clicking, page loads, all around stress for me and frustration for him.
But then the sky opened and bells sounded. I found ebooks. Simple, they read to him, have puzzles after the story and there are a ton of stories. I really like Wizz-E.com because they have familiar stories as well as some new ones that grab his attention. There’s games and great flash animation, his favorite is the way the “sparkles” from the wizard’s wand follow his “hand” from the mouse.
There are some great sites out there that can give your little “worker” things to do while you work or do laundry or read. Wizz-E is not a replacement for traditional cuddle up on the couch under a warm blanket, which they proudly proclaim.Wizz-E.com works with roomtoread.org donating 10% of ebook sales to the furthering of children’s literature.
Online sites that provide learning games and books, even music can give your little employee a way to learn and feel like he is spending time with you while you have to spend time on work. If you are not a work-in-the-home mom, and just need that 5 minutes of peace that Kathy Ireland spoke about in her post, these are a great sanity-saver. And if you are not either of these moms and just like to see your little one learn and excel or master new words and letters or grasp the new technologies, these are fun way to introduce computers.
I am kinda hooked on the ebook thing, I even love to download my textbooks, and Kindle books to my phone. Awww, technology!”
Sitting with my 5 year old this morning for our daily coffee and conversations, we were enjoying Between The Lions (PBSkids.org) and as he was listening to the book being read and watching the character come to life from a 2 dimensional image on a book cover to real moving, talking, dancing person; I thought that’s an ebook! Meaning, mothers watch stories being read on show like this and Reading Rainbow, Blues Clues, Sesame Street, and Word World; but it is not perceived as an ebook, its perceived as a story on TV which somehow makes it different.
Putting the two together the same animation and sound that is being played for our pre-schoolers and young children on TV is being focused for ebooks. Mothers I asked about ebooks for their children, were most hesitant about letting a computer do the reading, but they said they allowed their children to watch some of the programs mentioned above for a small amount of time. When asked why most said something along the lines of it was only for a select about of time and in conjunction with the one-on-one reading they did with them.
Ok, so I think we need a new perception of what educational partners are. If we allow our children to watch programs that assist in their learning and then allow then to go to the computer to play the games provided by those television shows to again partner with parents in the name of education, we should be willing to cut out some of the middle man. Ebook sites, especially Wizz-E.com provide education through books with or without sound, games, and only accept books from the best of authors. This way publishers of ebooks can provide the education and entertainment that goes side by side with learning to read.
I am not saying that educational shows are not valuable, but I will take books over TV any day. I know that this morning while conversating with Chandler (5 year old) he gets the most out of Between the Lions when they show stories coming to life and talking to him. When words and music are showing him something, he locks into it. I love PBSkids and the shows they provide, it gives us a block to stand on for reaching the top shelf of books. But, I also love great ebooks that come to life, they give me as a parent another tool to show how fantastic and magical books are.
What do you think? Have you ever looked at books/TV this way?
After polling several mothers and fathers, asking them how the like to enjoy reading to their children and would they consider using ebooks in conjunction with traditional paper books most were unaware that ebooks had advanced to a child level. Interesting idea, advancing to a child’s level.
I introduced them to Wizz-E.com and asked if they would share a moment with their children reading ebooks and report back their findings.
Here are their words:
I prefer paper books, but as our society is growing more electronically inclined I think it’s great that we’re keeping books in that process. At least the kids are still reading! That’s what’s most important.
I really think anything that gets kids reading is great.
-Vanessa T. Oklahoma
Putting ebooks in the hands of kids is a great way to blend technology that they are bombarded with daily and the excitement of reading. Which I believe todays kids are losing touch with. Meeting kids where they are will always prove more results than trying to force feed them something that they feel is old or out of touch with their lives.
Sarah P. California
We haven’t tried ebooks but I can’t say I find it appealing. I enjoy cuddling up w/ the girls to read in their beds or on the sofa. Putting them in front of the computer screen just doesn’t do it for me. They do some computer at school and a little at home, but there’s nothing like reading together and turning actual pages. Both peanuts are starting to read on their own now and enjoy quiet time in their room with books… it’s lovely. Then again, this is all coming from the least techy person out there. I don’t own a cell phone, have tivo/dvr (nor cable!) or whatever else it’s called. Bluray? What’s that? Twitter - huh? Just old school that way
-Susan J. South Carolina
Like anything else we expose our children too, ebooks should be a relationship between parent and child. Communication is important. The whole idea of ebooks if faster put into the hands of young people to give them a different source for material and education. I love the idea that ebooks could replace DVD’s in cars. Could you imagine giving your child a gift card to download the Titles the have been wanting to read just before a long car trip and then as the trip goes on allow them to read aloud or share the story they chose.
I think that as parents we are quick to give something to our children that will occupy them so we can be more comfortable. The easier the access to that comfort the better. DVD, video games, music they all are quick ways to entertain. But what if we changed the idea of entertainment. If a child is given the access to a book, one that will read a loud if he is not yet reading with sounds and animation - that becomes a game. Then they hooked on a story and they want to read more. Just like if you allow your child the taste of sugar before they experience broccoli most children will forgo the green for the yum.
My long point is this. Give your child the good stuff and they will grave knowledge instead of fillers. They world has enough ridiculous fillers, allow them to experience the magic of a book and the total losing of the time that comes from passion in literature. Ebooks are a great way to do that - like hiding broccoli in pizza.
-Tom H. Texas
In no way do we at Wizz-E.com feel that ebooks should deter moms and dads from page-turning-time with their little ones, but use the technology that is available and of the best authors and animators/illustrators to allow for educational time in a way that uses what kids already experience. I love what Tom said “…like hiding broccoli in pizza.”
Ebook “Pizza!”
§ Download books to your smart phone and use then in waiting rooms, while grocery shopping, running errands, in the dentist chair - since ebooks are much cheaper than paper copies, allow your child to download a new story for each outing.
§ Long car rides instead of hand-held video games
§ To distract while you are cleaning/preparing dinner instead of TV
§ As rewards, “if you finish this book you can download one of your choice”
§ While you are working on your laptop let your child sit next to your and “work” on his reading.
This is a great opportunity to go check out that eBook idea you have been hearing about but not sure what to do with. eBooks are being used all over through readers like Kindle, Sony and even your iPhone. You can take your favorite novel or favorite magazine with you anywhere.
2. Thinking of saving money?
College students listen up… etextbooks are available and they are for the most part, CHEAPER. Its cheaper to download and etext, then spend the money for the hard copy. Most retailers are providing the alternative and advertising the alternative. These days everyone is counting pennies and with rising cost of education with the lowering amounts of funds, saving big bucks when buying those required textbooks is a BIG bonus!
3. Retailers are getting the eBook bug!
Big time retailers are taking notice to the ebooks. Big time book seller Barnes and Noble release a staements saying that they plan to offer ebooks in the coming year. This is huge! The fact the retailers are taking notice to their customers that are wanting the option to purchase ebooks. I know that I love to grab a book the second the mood strikes, when a new book comes from a favorite author I want it now. I don’t wait for it to show up in my mailbox, by then I have lost the desire to read it. Read the full release at TG Daily
4. Kids dig ebooks!
Ok moms, grandmas, caregivers and au pairs listen up. Need a afternoon activity to help get those kids through the day? Go with them online to read. Reading online is more than putting words in front kids, it is engaging them into a world that changes their perspective on what reading is. Reading is more than words, it is the story that takes a child into his imagination and tell him or her it’s ok believe in something else beside reality. Reading takes a child to a place where they be anything. Allowing kids to read online lets them be in charge of the story and the outcome. It gives control, and what child does not what that. Reading together with a child gives them security and a memory they can hold onto.
eBook Week is March 8 ~ 14 download some great reads!
With these tough economic times everyone it seems is finding a way to utilize what resources they have to not only improve the bottle line but raise the bar for their customers. I can tell you that I love getting magazines, its like a little present in the mail just for me, but to be honest I am finding it a tough justification to pay the cost. Publishers are feeling the same way. With newspaper and magazine sales down 50% publishers are seeking new media to get their news into your hands.
With the big time sales of E-ink readers such as the Amazon Kindle I & II and the Sony Reader, the man behind the pages of everything from Cosmopolitan to Esquire and the San Francisco Chronicle has put into action a large format wireless E-ink reader of his own. Kenneth Bronfin, exec at Hearst says:
”I can’t tell you the details of what we are doing, but I can say we are keenly interested in this, and expect these devices will be a big part of our future,”
All this comes from the new technology, the money flow is not as flowing and business still want to maintain the integrity and following while cutting the cost of printing. The publishing industry is a $300 billion dollar industry, with most of the income going back into the printing of newspapers and periodicals. Within the year Hearst plans to release a black and white version of the new reader and a large format high resolution model that folds as well as allows for full page reading and ads to be seen.
What Hearst and its partners plan to do is sell the e-readers to publishers and to take a cut of the revenue derived from selling magazines and newspapers on these devices. The company will, however, leave it to the publishers to develop their own branding and payment models. “That’s something you will never see Amazon do,” someone familiar with the Hearst project said. “They aren’t going to give up control of the devices.”
I love that they are not afraid to let go and allow others to embrace this idea, they know that they have a handle on the market and with this new technology things can only grow and become better . Love this idea.
What do you think, are E-ink readers better than the paper (non-green) version? Which would you buy?
Who were these words flying from you ask? Well, upon the launch we sent out emails to moms, dads, grandparents, and friends asking them to check out the sight and email back their thoughts. They had so much to say. Mostly the comments surprised us. As they told of the search for online books that were diverse enough to keep and toddler engaged and challenging enough to keep a young reader interested so they return to the site. Most had been introduced to ebooks before but not in children’s media.
They did have some questions too. Steve from Oklahoma asked “the ebook is great but how can a child learn from this media, also is it your intention to release the traditional book?” I answered “by no means.” We are partnering with parents to encourage and engage children though technology, this to which they are already well versed. Karen from New Mexico asked “what are ebooks? Is it something like kindle books?” I answered, “Yes, Karen they are somewhat like Kindle books, however our books are made for young readers. They are designed with audio and animation to enchant the reader and show then that reading can come to life.” Our books are unique and diverse enough for children ages 3-8.
We encourage you to check out WIZZ-E.COM and let us know what you think of the site!!
Children 3-8 can rejoice in their options for great reads online!
In a Press Release from PRweb.com
Studies show that the newest generation of students comprehend better and
enjoy more when using technology to read.
Dallas, Tx, February 23, 2009 -
For those parents and educators struggling
to instill the love of reading in their kids, there is a new solution.
eBooks4kidz, a UK based company, is launching Wizz-e.com…
The business was created after the CEO and co-founder, Jeanette McLeod,
struggled to find quality eBooks online for her own kids. “It was
frustrating to search for quality materials online to help my kids read,
only to come up empty. They are the technology generation! This is how they
learn best,” says Mrs. McLeod.
Wizz-e.com is not meant to replace traditional books but work in addition to them. The books are of the highest quality, combined with audio and animation. Combine them with fun games, jokes and coloring pages it is a site geared toward grabbing kids attention and keeping them not only entertained but give them the desire to learn.
The recent Tools Of Change (TOC) conference in New York bought many publishing leaders together to talk about change and demand. One particular sub conference, Smart Women Read E Books, discussed the survey results of 750 female readers. These women were asked everything from their ages to how many books they read a month to what they’d like to say to publishers.
So, what do women want?
Along with cheaper prices and more romance, women also want more e books for children! Modern life is hectic, and modern moms have to get creative to stay savvy. More and more kids have taken to reading on their parents devices and parents are looking for new ways to engage their children’s vocabulary and imagination. There is also a great interest in adapting old and beloved series to e books.
It will be very interesting to see what kind of magic of illustration and animation e books will come up with for the latest list of demands.
I am delighted to introduce you to guest blogger Stacey Root. She is the senior contributing writer for 
