Many kids are digital natives. Many of them have grown up with technology being part of the furniture, just part of their lives that they use for education and for fun. This video from edutopia profiles a 9 year old girl who uses technology as part of her life. A great reminder that they may well be techno savvy but they are still children. They still want to listen to stories. They still want to be creative. And they are certainly tapped in to what being a child in 2009 is like and what they want!
“parents are just not ready to utilize ebooks for their children.”
I asked the commenter why and the response surprised me:
“Learning is not a game, and how can a child learn from games or electronic books?”
After taking a moment to consider the response I could give I asked myself the same question. The answer came swiftly and strongly. Today’s children are bombarded with electronica, video games, iPods, iPhones, Blackberry’s, Laptops, Wii (Nintendo) and PlayStation.
Those aren’t even the items that preschoolers are using; they are learning to read from Leapfrog’s “laptop”, Leapster Handheld game consoles and even playing Dora the Explorer and Diego games on Nintendo DS they can even “Build-a-Bear” on the Wii.
So I ask you, is learning a game?
OF COURSE!
Ask any teacher how they teach the alphabet - with the alphabet song, or teach kindergartners how to remember numbers, a game, a song or a rhythm. Children learn math from games such as Count the Beans, Stack the Pigs and blocks. So why can’t they learn reading from a book online that is a animated version of the 2D book on their bookshelf?
Children learn through repitition: hearing, seeing, and interacting with information. The more we can visualize the information they are to take in, the more information they will want to take in.
Due to the overwhelming response in favor of the Kindle, an e reading device, Amazon recently introduced the Kindle 2. They have kept the same benefits of the orignal Kindle and added some new features to wow you!
So what does this mean? Most producers of electronic devices create updates and new generations of products. Apple for example introduces a newer version of their computers, iPods, and iPhones about every 8 months to a year. Why? Because change is good. Better technology, more advanced features and better products enrich a company’s relationship to both the market and the customer. Most of us have bought at least two iPods, and upgraded our phones every six months. Why? Becuase the market thrives on flux. Those who like the market and take part in it, i.e, consumers have a innate desire to experiment with novelty and value.
The great thing about the launch of the new Kindle is it proves the market for e-literature is growing. The fact that you can get a textbook when you want it for less than buying the book and download it in class because you forgot to get it a week ago, is remarkable. Buying ebooks opens a door to literature that is thought of as boring or old. If a 15 year old boy is asked to read War and Peace, he groans with dread.
But ask him to download the book and it becomes something he can understand. The use of technology encouages younger students to get involved in reading. It creates a bridge from “have to” to “want to” by virtue of its design.
You can read all about the new features on the Kindle 2 on Amazon’s site! Happy Reading!
