This report provides an informative, in-depth look at the pilot program undergone by Reed College in Oregon (as one of seven higher ed institutions), to bring e-readers (specifically in this case) the Kindle DX into the classroom experience.
The study contains some interesting points both in terms of the strengths of the e-readers, including legibility, battery life and durability. The study also highlights some benefits of the single-functionality of e-reader devices (e.g., no email checking such as that from students who use laptops).
Some of the shortcomings include the loss of functionality that comes with handling and distributing pdf files (including a discussion of how fair use policies may interact with Amazon’s servers), and the inability to access multiple documents simultaneously.
This excerpt from the study’s “Looking Ahead” section provides some more thoughts on areas that need to be addressed.
Establishing eBook file standards and resolving digital rights issues are apt to be more difficult and time-consuming to achieve than addressing the technical problems discussed above. While it won’t be surprising to see rapid improvements in eReader technologies during the next two years, it will be extremely surprising to see comparable progress in the development of the file standards, content cost models, and rights policies needed to propel eReader technology to the forefront in higher education. Hopefully, pressure from colleges and universities will keep these efforts moving forward.
In closing, we may note that while students and faculty in Reed’s Kindle study were unanimous in reporting that the Kindle DX –– in its current incarnation –– was unable to meet their academic needs, many felt that once technical and other issues have been addressed, eReaders will play a significant, possibly a transformative, role in higher education.
All in all, I’m interested now to read the similar reports from the other six schools who piloted the kindle project, and I think this study is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in how new media will continue to change the academic landscape, as well as what some of the current and evolving obstacles to that change will be.