eBook implementation is becoming crucial for schools and districts as part of the digital content movement. As mobile devices become a classroom staple, printed books are becoming a staple of the past. But as more schools begin to consider eBooks, many administrators are asking “Where do we start?”
According to Carl Harvey, school librarian at North Elementary School in Noblesville, IN, and past president of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), the first question most administrators ask is “What should we focus on? The content or the device?”
Sometimes it’s hard to consider because you’re wondering ‘do we get devices that are eBook-specific, like Kindles or Nooks, or do we want iPads and use iTunes U? mused Harvey. Or then you ask ‘well, should we focus on a massive platform for content and use whatever devices are compatible for that platform?’
“With devices you can preload content on it, kids check it out for immediate access, and using eBooks definitely engages kids. These are the pros,” he explained. “The cons are how you control and protect the purchasing, for example, large orders and the use of credit cards, and making sure devices go back to the library.”
“With content,” he continued, “the pros are that there’s one large platform and students can access this with their own device. A large platform also provides a commonality across grades, classrooms, and schools. The con is access: if a student doesn’t have a device, how will he or she access these eBooks? Also, not every eBook is always available on just one platform.”
However, Harvey’s district was spared making that decision when it was decided that a one-to-one program would be rolled out to every school; meaning that Harvey’s district decided to focus on content, not device.
“What we knew after that announcement was made was that we’d need to start talking to vendors soon because our adoption cycle was coming for English/Language Arts and then many subjects after that, so I wanted to choose a platform that could cater to all subjects.”
According to Carl Harvey, school librarian at North Elementary School in Noblesville, IN, and past president of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), the first question most administrators ask is “What should we focus on? The content or the device?”
Sometimes it’s hard to consider because you’re wondering ‘do we get devices that are eBook-specific, like Kindles or Nooks, or do we want iPads and use iTunes U? mused Harvey. Or then you ask ‘well, should we focus on a massive platform for content and use whatever devices are compatible for that platform?’
“With devices you can preload content on it, kids check it out for immediate access, and using eBooks definitely engages kids. These are the pros,” he explained. “The cons are how you control and protect the purchasing, for example, large orders and the use of credit cards, and making sure devices go back to the library.”
“With content,” he continued, “the pros are that there’s one large platform and students can access this with their own device. A large platform also provides a commonality across grades, classrooms, and schools. The con is access: if a student doesn’t have a device, how will he or she access these eBooks? Also, not every eBook is always available on just one platform.”
However, Harvey’s district was spared making that decision when it was decided that a one-to-one program would be rolled out to every school; meaning that Harvey’s district decided to focus on content, not device.
“What we knew after that announcement was made was that we’d need to start talking to vendors soon because our adoption cycle was coming for English/Language Arts and then many subjects after that, so I wanted to choose a platform that could cater to all subjects.”