Forbidden Facebook?

Earlier this summer, we posted about the pros and cons of using Facebook in your classroom. Since then, the debate over social media's emerging roles in education has continued.

The Dayton Daily News (LEP's local newspaper) recently published an article about the city of Dayton Public School District's decision to ban its teachers from interacting with students via unapproved media, including Facebook and text messaging. This plan applies to the popular industry go-around of professional Facebook accounts, as well.

The move is a first in the area - neighboring districts have safety policies in place, but most of these restrict the conditions or frequency of use, rather than forbidding it outright. Early reaction seems to be positive.

My reaction? Let's call it mixed.While I applaud the district's firm stance (let's not waffle on the issue, I say - pick a side rationally and plant your feet firmly), I have to wonder if it's playing things safe on a convoluted issue. As our previous post discussed, there are many reasons to be concerned about teacher-student communication through social media. But locking the door and throwing away the key seems excessive. True, leaving that door open allows the potential passage of inappropriate communication. But closing it forever stems the gathering tide of opportunity that's knocking with ever-increasing insistence on Education's door.

I do not think it wise to ignore social media's potential positive impact upon students, teachers, and the communication that tethers them. The gap between educator and educated should be bridged whenever possible, the ultimate goal being a unified classroom that thrives together. It's a difficult commitment to make, and the process must be supervised and adjusted in order to craft a properly functioning tool. But, oh, the things that tool might fix!

The Dayton Public School District has decided to ignore that tool's presence. My question? What will they do when they realize how badly they need it?

Why Interactive Whiteboards Work

While attending an informational seminar last week, I learned an interesting statistic: approximately 45% of today's classrooms are using interactive whiteboards. In some ways, this came as a shock; in other ways, it did not. For years, it seems, IWBs (interactive whiteboards), from manufacturers such as SMART and Promethean, have been touted as the next big thing in education. Despite that assertion, they haven't seemed to fully catch on. So I was a bit shocked to learn that nearly half of classrooms are sporting the technology now.

On the other hand, this development is wholly expected - overdue, even. The potential of this innovation is enormous, the possibilities unlocked by its tools and applications seemingly limitless. Why wouldn't schools pony up the cash to deck the walls with IWBs?

It's the little things that help make IWBs such valuable classroom assets. During our seminar, our presenter showed us a sample 'page' from an interactive lesson plan designed specifically for IWBs. It looked like a snapshot of one or two paragraphs from a typical supplemental workbook. But then a Flash animation kicked on, and a diagram was drawn before my eyes, adding a unique element to an otherwise stagnant stream of information. On another page, what appeared to be a photo of a cute dog positioned on a laptop computer turned into a short video of a cute dog positioned on a laptop looking even cuter because he looked at the camera and quivered oh so adorably. Numerous additional bells and whistles were added to most every page, until I was interested (and dare I say excited) to find what trick or bit of fun awaited me with each new block of information.

These details might sound like digital knick knacks, but consider this: if such trinkets can catch and maintain hold of a 27-year-old's attention, what might they do for the open mind of a 12-year-old student?

But we're only looking at the little things - what about the BIG things? Well, let me assure you, they're even better.

Imagine inviting students to the board not just to write words or solve math problems, but to manipulate shapes and objects; to sort categories of pictures or words by dragging and dropping them into boxes; to touch an instrument and immediately hear its sound. And imagine all of these actions, along with so many more, made possible by a student's finger.

Like an iPad or a Nintendo Wii, IWBs are undeniably cool. They ooze fun from each circuit. And students take notice. They are compelled to discover the uniquely interactive elements of an IWB lesson, and each new slide engages them in new and unique ways. It's truly a game-changing moment to witness children using an IWB.

While attending a presentation at a local elementary school, I was thrilled to watch students flinging their hands into the air when asked to volunteer a visit to the whiteboard, to see them bound from their seats and attack problems with wide eyes and wider smiles. Quite a switch from the chalkboard visits of my youth, to be sure. Watching their passion for learning helped remind me of why we're all in this industry, and it made me wonder: why in the world haven't the remaining 55% of classrooms joined in?

For Your Consideration: 6 Top iPad Apps

After attending the ISTE convention last month, we've been reminded time and again that this year's hot piece of educational tech is the iPad. Students want it. Parents love it. Teachers use it. I wish I had it...

Best of all, it works. The iPad offers a wealth of educational opportunities, most of them geared to be flashy, fun, and rewarding. We've compiled a short list of some of the most popular educational apps being downloaded and used right now. Each of the apps below appears on the July 27 edition of appannie's Top Charts for Educational iPad apps (check out the full chart here)

FREE APPS

1. Era of Dino HD Lite

What student - or parent for that matter, don't lie - doesn't want to learn more about dinosaurs? This free app will introduce users to over 300 different dinos. Also covered are the specific eras in which these creatures lived. Slick, colorful graphics complement a wealth of interesting material. (Average rating: 4.5 stars)

2. NASA App HD

Take a tour of the galaxy - and beyond - with this fascinating app from NASA. Official video and imagery (some of which are live) enhance in-depth explorations of planets, stars, current missions, and more. Children and adults alike will lose hours in this virtual solar system. (Average rating: 4.5 stars)

3. ScreenChomp

This versatile teaching tool is like having a digital whiteboard at your fingertips. Create your own lessons with the intuitive interface. Math problems, Venn diagrams, brainstorming webs - this app can handle them all. Even cooler is the ability to record and upload your lessons to the app's website or Facebook. (Average rating: 5 stars)

PAID APPS

1. Stack the States

Students can learn about each of the United States of America with this fun app. By the time they're finished, they'll be familiar with state capitals, shapes, and locations. Bonus games, full-color pictures, and tons of questions are included. (Average rating: 5 stars)

2. Math Bingo

This popular app will make math practice much more entertaining. A balance of fun gaming and rich educational content has landed Math Bingo on several top-app lists. It's simple - students must answer math problems correctly in order to complete rows on a Bingo chart. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are included. (Average rating: 4.5 stars)

3. Alphabet Fun

Invaluable for early learners, Alphabet Fun teaches and reinforces letter and number recognition and formation. It also teaches users to recognize and identify colors. Pronunciations provide clarity and speaking practice. (Average rating: not available)

What do you think of the iPad? Are you using it with your children or students? Have you tried any of the apps above? Do you know any other must-haves? Start the discussion in the comments section below!

Calling All Classrooms

I bought my first cell phone at the age of 18, a few years behind most people my age. It took me a few weeks to familiarize myself with all the bells and whistles, which, compared to the model I use today, were next to nothing and unimpressive to boot. Nearly a decade after that first egg-shaped, no-color-screen model, I use my phone for just about everything: I send and receive e-mails, network with friends and coworkers, keep track of my budget; heck, I even place the occasional call or two. I'm not alone in having my mobile device practically bolted to my hand. Students, from elementary-level to college- and university-goers, use cell phones each and every day.

Sure, students use their cell phones to text, game, and Tweet. But the usage isn't limited to frivolous social communication and idle entertainment. Students are also using these devices to help them learn. They are using built-in calculators to help solve math problems, search engines to find sources for research papers, and teacher-recommended apps to train and challenge the mind. Some school districts are even using cell phones to help students perform well on standardized tests.

Yes, there are many negative possibilities when phone usage is permitted in a classroom. Distraction is perhaps the worst. Teachers have to either patrol the aisles like a hungry hawk or trust their students to stay away from Facebook and Angry Birds. Using technology moves away from more traditional, proven methods of education and encourages a turn-to-technology-for-everything environment. These are just a couple issues in an angry sea full of potential difficulties and complications.

It is a sea upon which we must set sail. The simple fact is that cell phones (and tablets like the iPad along with them) are too prevalent and potent to ignore. Thinking back to my archaic school days (the nineties), I wish I could open a rift in time and drop my phone into the youthful me's bulky backpack. Equipped with this space-age technology, younger me would have an entire new world of possibilities before him. He could schedule testing and project due dates. He could choose a list of books to check out from the library rather than scratching his head baffling over the Dewey Decimal System. He could download games that helped him practice in an effort to correct a persistent difficulty with math skills.

Oh, what might have been!

The students of today don't have to lament a lack of possibilities, nor wait until they're 18 years old to discover them. The world little me didn't have already surrounds them. The tools for a deeper and more effective education exist. Let's put them in the hands of our students and start soaring.

4 Ways to Spin Your Students Around the Globe

Attention all teachers and parents: It's almost July. Isn't it about time you went on vacation? And shouldn't you take the kids with you? Oh, and how about doing it without leaving your house or school? New innovations and emerging technologies are making this scenario more possible by the day.

Here are a few cool ideas to take your classroom or living room global. Click on the hyperlinked section titles for access to each resource.

1. National Geographic Kids (TM) Countries

Have you ever wanted to visit South America in your pajamas? This is the place for you. This hub will grant your students access to overviews of many of the world's countries. Quick and interesting facts are accompanied by photos, videos, maps, and more.

2. Skype (TM) In the Classroom

You've probably heard of Skype - an internet phone service that allows anyone to be seen and heard by other users around the world. The resource has reached into global education, as well. Among the possibilities are guest speakers from another continent, sharing an online 'classroom' with students from the other side of the planet, and project collaboration with like-minded educators that happen to live in China.

3. Google Maps

Teaching a unit on one of the world's great cities? Google Maps allows you to literally click your way to it. Zooming in brings landscapes both urban and rural into focus. Labels identify cities, towns, bodies of water, and major landmarks. As if that isn't cool enough, you can view photos, live webcams, and even traffic updates. (I smell a problem-solving opportunity: Given current traffic conditions, what is the best route from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace?)

4. LEP's Very Own Passport Series

Don't have an internet connection? Looking to discover even more detailed information about other countries? This 8-book series is all you'll ever need to take a virtual vacation around the world. Visit more than 50 countries from all seven continents, each with in-depth studies of history, culture, language, food, and so much more. Click here for some sample pages.

To Use or Not to Use: The Facebook Debate

Facebook has become an integral component of our lives. Sure, there are those who avoid it like the plague; and there are probably a few scattered individuals who haven't even heard of it. But for most of us, the sensationally popular website is a part of our everyday existence. It has spread from a few colleges and universities to homes and businesses across the world. But should it spread into your classroom?

Last month, The Edublogger posted about the merits of using Facebook as a tool for education (check out the entire post here). They pointed out some of the benefits the networking site could provide teachers, parents, and students. They also addressed some of the problems Facebook presents to educators and offered solutions to several of them.

There's even an official guide for using Facebook in education: Facebook for Educators.

It's certainly no secret that students are using Facebook. It's likely that their parents are, too. And you, teachers, probably have your own accounts. At first glance, it seems like a no-brainer: we should figure out a way to use this tool for education. With the three major players in the process already hooked up to the apparatus, it should be a simple task to make the proper connections and start running together...right?

Of course, it's not that easy.

Facebook presents a number of unique and sensitive complications. It's capable to use the site to track literally everything you do. There are many pieces of information that would be unquestionably inappropriate in a classroom setting. As the Edublogger notes, many schools have instituted policies forbidding teacher-student interaction via Facebook for such reasons. After all, educator and educated lead separate lives outside the classroom, the specifics of which are none of the other's business.

For every complication, however, there seems to be an offsetting benefit. Yes, we lead separate lives, but the opportunity to easily initiate after-school communication is an appealing one. The obvious example: a student struggling with an assignment can go to a teacher or classroom Facebook page looking for help. Wait, you might say, the teacher can't always be available to answer questions. This is definitely true. However, other students (who the student has likely 'friended' already) might be available to assist. Perhaps even more tantalizing is the option for easier communication with a student's parents. No longer are we restricted to parent-teacher conferences and quick before- or after-school discussions. A Facebook message can address an issue within minutes.

It's easy to oversimplify this debate into clear-cut pros and cons. In reality, the issue is not that simple. It's an incredibly complex question that requires much thought and plenty of contingency plans. This might lead some educators to question whether or not it's all worth it. Why not ignore Facebook and concentrate on other options?

With such a versatile and potentially game changing resource already at our fingertips, can we really afford to ignore it?

What do you think? Have you considered using Facebook with your students? Do you already do so? Does the idea make you sick? Share your stories and opinions in the comments section below.

Plug In! Gaming in the Classroom

...Your students are on a quest. They are deep underground, beneath a massive snow-capped mountain. They are looking for an ancient relic, a relic that will save the universe from a terrible invading evil. But this relic is hidden by clever puzzles and protected by hostile guardians. The only way your students can get their hands on it is by working together to pool their intelligence and creativity. A plan is conceived, and your students voice battle cries as they charge into the epic challenge ahead...

That scenario might sound more like a Friday or Saturday night for your students; but can you imagine it taking place in your classroom? On a Monday or Tuesday morning? As an approved part of your lesson plan? Madness, you might say. There are others - a growing number of them, in fact - that want to change your mind and make such mythical classrooms possible.

Why? Education is due for a change, say those in support of gaming in the classroom. The current model is growing staler by the day, and its results are hardly encouraging. The dramatic advances in educational technology are quickly outpacing the capabilities of the standard teaching model. What better way to take full advantage of these wonderful gadgets and tools than by fashioning a new method that embraces them wholeheartedly?

Not only is the educational landscape ripe for this tactical shift; students are also in dire need of the skills provided by technology - especially those provided through gaming! The jobs of today and tomorrow demand technological know-how, a condition that will only become more concrete as time progresses. Games help students think more like machines. That might sound a bit scary on the surface, but consider the skills emphasized: problem-solving, logic, systems, cooperation - these are the skills of today and tomorrow.

So. The timing is right. The need is obvious. What more convincing do you need? How about this - your students will love it! It's no secret that certain classic aspects of teaching are boring, at least to some students - lecture, reinforcement, homework. Imagine the rejuvenation if these were connected to gaming. Might your students be a little more attentive during a lecture if they knew reinforcement would come in the form of an interactive and challenging game? Think they would do their homework before dinner if it involved a controller or tablet or cell phone? Gaming doesn't need to replace traditional methods - nor should it. There's no denying, however, that its inclusion would light a fire in classrooms around the world.

What about you? Are you ready to include gaming in your lesson plan? Or will you stand against the tech tide? Be heard in the comments section below!

Blended Learning: The Future?

Imagine a classroom packed full of cubicles instead of traditional desks. Imagine that each of the cubicles sports a full computer, and that a student focuses on each glowing monitor. The only sounds are the muted click-clicks of keystrokes. Finally, imagine yourself – the teacher of this unique classroom – positioned at a computer of your own, planning your next lesson from a constantly updated data stream based on the activity of your army of plugged-in learners. This isn’t your typical classroom. This is a blended learning environment, and it just might be the next big thing.

One Part Tech, One Part Talk

Blended learning is a style of teaching that combines the high-tech capabilities and potential of computers and other emerging technologies with more traditional face-to-face instruction. Essentially, the student completes online coursework, allowing the teacher to review real-time results. This detailed progress report can be used by the instructor to plan individual and group lessons, and effectively pinpoints strengths and weaknesses.

Sound far off and futuristic? It’s not. In fact, blended learning is already being used. A recent article by Jonathan Schorr and Deborah McGriff on Educationnext.org discusses how blended learning is being implemented in certain schools and institutions around the country (here is a direct link to the article).

Blending is Better

Why bother with all these bells and whistles? The reasons are many. Perhaps the greatest asset of blended learning is the data created through online instruction. A teacher can use this information in a variety of helpful ways:

• Areas of difficulty can be pinpointed and addressed from the beginning.


• Lesson plans are more dynamic when based upon current information. We all know that each and every classroom is different; blended learning allows a teacher to use these differences to better teach his or her individual students.


• Students can view their progress for an immediate sense of achievement; they can also figure out in which areas they are struggling, and use that knowledge to better focus their efforts.

It’s not all about computers, though. Blended learning has a positive impact upon face-to-face interactions as well. The idea is to use technology to make traditional teaching time more effective. Teachers can be confident that they are focusing on necessary skills. In today’s packed classrooms, blended learning also provides an excellent opportunity for small group work. Instead of teaching a room of 35, teachers might reinforce a math skill with 12 students that experienced difficulty while the rest of the class moves on to more difficult concepts. This assures that no one is caught unprepared for the next lesson.

We can’t forget that learning should be fun. Blended learning certainly has this base covered, as students make use of many unique and entertaining materials. Games, interactive lessons, and enhanced visual presentations grab a student’s interest and energy quicker than a chalkboard or textbook. It’s also an increasingly clear truth that modern students relate to the use of high-tech tools like cell phones, the Internet, e-readers, and more. The tools of blended learning will be comfortable in their hands, allowing easy and immediate access to educational content.

Are We Ready?

Not yet. Despite its early success, blended learning is still a new concept. It will take time to develop and refine for widespread use. Given the speed of change in modern education, however, the tide might roll in its favor at any time. Will you be ready? Let us know what you think of blended learning in the comments section below.

Bring Your Classroom to the Blogosphere!

We’ve written a few posts about technology in the classroom (see here and here). There’s no doubt that innovations like the Internet, eBooks, and digital whiteboards have changed modern education; and they will continue to do so. There are so many new ways to engage students! It can be somewhat overwhelming to approach. How does a teacher start? Have no fear, LEP is here. We’re planning a series of posts about getting your classroom on board the tech train. Today, we’re taking a look at blogging.

In recent years, blogs have become insanely popular. A search for blogs will yield literally millions of results. There is a seemingly endless variety of blog types: business, personal, photo, entertainment, educational – you name it, there’s probably a blog out there (or a hundred) that covers it.

You might wonder: Why should I pay attention to blogging? For starters, blogs are a wonderful way to engage students. It allows constant connection to educational content both inside and outside the classroom. It enhances the idea of a classroom community, allowing students and teachers to discuss, analyze, and discover together. Blogging also emphasizes technological education and competency, something that is increasingly important in today’s advanced world. Add to all that the fact that blogs are fun and easy to use and maintain and you have a real winner!

Getting Started

Setting up a blog is a snap. Web sites like Blogger and WordPress walk you through setup. After entering some simple information (e-mail address, password, display name, etc.), you’re ready to start blogging. You will want to look into your blog’s settings and make some decisions about who can and cannot access it. You probably don’t want anyone and everyone being able to view your blog. But you might want to let parents take a look. Don’t worry; it’s not hard to “gate” your blog – which will allow only those you approve to visit. You will also want to pay attention to comment moderation – do you want to read comments before they post? Again, tinkering with your blog’s settings is simple. The whole process probably won’t take more than an hour.

Once you have your blog set up, publish a welcome/introduction. Describe your intent and explain how students will use it. Some student training will be required, but you’ll be amazed at how quickly they pick up on it!

How you use your blog is entirely up to you. It could be a weekly assignment, a daily math problem, or simply a place for students to ask questions of you and one another. Blogs are incredibly versatile, and often evolve as you go, adapting to you, your students, and the material. For some ideas, do a Google blog search for “classroom blogs.” Don’t be discouraged if things are a little slow to start. Keep at it – students will catch on.

Now What?

As we said, you can use your blog in any way you wish. If you teach younger students, you might publish videos and pictures, inviting students to share responses (either on the blog or verbally, depending on age). Older students can post responses to thought-provoking questions and scenarios or discuss current events. The possibilities are pretty much endless. Here are a few ideas:

Post short essay questions pertaining to classroom material. Students can post their responses in the comments section. You, in turn, can comment on their responses. You might be surprised at how eager students are to discuss each other’s answers and thoughts/opinions. This is a great way to increase student communication.

Make yourself available to answer homework questions. This does require some of your precious out-of-class time, but can be invaluable to students. If the assignment is right, students can also help one another.

Have students post online book reports or historical figure biographies. Encourage feedback and questions from other students.

Turn your blog into a classroom calendar. Remind students of due dates, important events, and extracurricular opportunities. A blog is also a great place to offer extra credit assignments.

Don’t be afraid to use your blog as a fun resource! Post funny YouTube videos or photos on Friday and let students share their thoughts and reactions. Ask a daily riddle or brain teaser and give the first student to answer correctly (via blog comment) a small prize. Provide links to educational sites and games. Blogging is a fantastic way to increase the fun factor of your classroom.

Sharing

Your blog is too awesome to be limited to your students and you. It’s very easy to share your blog, and the benefits of doing so are great. Who you share your blog with is entirely up to you. You might want to let the rest of your school in on the secret. This allows your administrators to follow your class’s progress. It might also provide inspiration to other teachers and students, which might bounce back to you in the form of their ideas for your blog.

Parents love to know what’s going on at school, right? Blogging is an easy way to keep them updated, and, if you wish, involved. Giving parents access to your blog allows them to watch as students interact and learn. Parents could also weigh in with their thoughts and comments, challenging and supporting students, as well as you.

What Are You Waiting For?

What’s not to love? Blogging offers so many opportunities to enhance your classroom and benefit your students. But don’t take our word for it. Get out there are start blogging! Good luck – check back in and leave us comments about how it goes.

More Educational Technology

After blogging about eBooks last week, we thought we’d stay with the thread and discuss other technologies being used by teachers and parents to enhance learning.

The modern classroom can be a very advanced place. There are an incredible number of new technologies being used in schools and homes. Unfortunately, many schools aren’t able to afford these products, but they are slowly spreading. It’s probably safe to assume that in the next several years, many of these innovations will be in widespread use.

These days, it’s hard to find a school or home that doesn’t feature computers. These aren’t new educational tools – they’ve been in use for years. Their possible uses, however, are constantly changing. The Internet hosts an enormous amount of resources for teachers and parents. Worksheets, interactive games, lesson plan ideas – the list goes on. Ideas are shared on public forums (blogs, discussion boards, websites), giving educators access to a growing collection of content. And there’s no end to available software. From encyclopedias to precalculus programs, you can find just about anything you need to boost your classroom resources.

An extremely popular technology is the interactive whiteboard. Taking the place of chalkboards and dry-erase boards, they work with a computer and projector to provide all kinds of fun, educational opportunities. Teachers can develop lessons with programs like Power Point and display them on the whiteboard. There are a number of lesson plans and ideas available online, as well. The boards are completely interactive. Special markers write on the board, allowing a teacher to highlight or expand on a particular note; or a student could work a math problem right on the whiteboard. The boards also respond to touch. It’s amazing how much students love working on these products. Their attention is grabbed easily, and they really enjoy heading up to the board to interact with the lesson. The possibilities of this technology are great, and the library of content continues to grow.

Remote technology is another innovation gathering steam in schools. The idea is that each student has a small remote or device that transmits to another device (like an interactive whiteboard or computer). This has a number of uses and advantages. Students can take multiple choice quizzes and tests, entering their answers via remote. Each remote is mapped to a specific student. Results are instantly tabulated, and can be easily placed in a computerized grade book. Imagine the time a teacher could save without tedious hand-grading! It’s also great for survey questions and class votes, and can be used to introduce charts and graphing activities.

These are only a few of the available technologies. And who knows what’s next? One future educational tool may be the cell phone. Can you imagine using text messaging in the classroom? How do you feel about the growing presence of technology in education? Is it a good or bad thing? What do you think is “the next big thing” for teachers and parents?

The eBook Revolution

I have sometimes wondered what Johannes Gutenberg felt when he held the first book to come off of his printing press. Did he have an inkling that he’d changed the world? Did he glimpse a future in which books were everywhere? Did he realize that he held a piece of history in his hands?

When I consider the revolution of eBooks, I think I might have an idea of how he felt. There’s no question that eBooks are changing things. When we download books and slide through their pages on our e-readers, we are making our own history. eBooks have taken the publishing industry by storm, and they aren’t letting up. Everything and everyone that has anything to do with books is affected – libraries, book stores, and, of course, teachers.

eBooks are revolutionizing the classroom. Novels aren’t the only kind of book out there. Textbooks, workbooks, and children’s books are available, as well. Here are a few reasons to hop on the eBook train.

E is for easy. Okay, it’s actually for electronic, but it may as well stand for easy. Having trouble finding a workbook on a specific topic? All you need is an internet connection and libraries will be at your fingertips. It only takes a few minutes to order an eBook and have it delivered directly to you! No more trips to supply stores and book sellers. And eBooks are usually priced the same as a printed copy, so you don’t have to pay extra for the convenience.

It may seem a minor benefit, but eBooks are a tremendous space-saver. eBooks are stored on your computer, so you don’t need to worry about book shelves or closet space. Your classroom stays neat and organized, and has more free space that can be used to enhance your learning environment. You can also make your classroom a green, environmentally friendly zone by using eBooks.

Technology is changing the modern classroom. eBooks are only a part of that change, but they work together with the others to enhance learning. eBooks are compatible with computers, interactive whiteboards, e-readers, and even cell phones. Pages can be projected on a whiteboard, allowing student and teacher interaction and turning individual exercise into a group activity. Handouts can be printed directly on your home or classroom printer. That means no more waiting in line at the copier! Lessons and assignments can be e-mailed to absent students. Homeschool teachers can provide all the books found in schools with computers and e-readers. The possibilities are seemingly endless, and more are being added all the time!

How do you feel about eBooks? What do you like or dislike about them? How have you used them at home or in the classroom? What do you think technologies like eBooks mean for the future of education?