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DLC: The Next Big Idea in Education: A Kindle in Every Backpack

DLC: The Next Big Idea in Education: A Kindle in Every Backpack

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(texte original)
The Next Big Idea in Education: A Kindle in Every Backpack
New DLC Proposal: eTextbooks Could Improve Education and Save Money


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON -- New technology that puts books and articles into electronic form could revolutionize the way American schoolchildren are taught, according to a new report released today by the new Democratic Leadership Council (DLC).
In "A Kindle in Every Backpack: A Proposal for eTextbooks in American Schools," DLC Senior Fellow Thomas Z. Freedman argues that replacing traditional textbooks with technology similar to Amazon's Kindle could improve instruction in the nation's schools and cut costs, allowing schools districts to invest in other pressing needs .
The advantages of outfitting students with eTextbooks are dramatic:

• Up-to-Date Information: eTextbooks can be updated instantly and universally, with little lead time.
• Increased Flexibility: eTextbooks would allow teachers to modify curricula to the needs of their particular class. No longer would outdated materials limit the creativity of the nation's talented teaching corps.
• Interactive Learning: Classroom materials, discussion questions, quizzes and other materials can extend the reach of teachers when children are studying at home. Studies show that students want to be able to integrate their notes into the published text, monitor their own progress with quizzes, and gain access to real-time resources like Google Earth.

But, in addition to improving education, investing in eTextbooks could reduce costs, allowing educators to invest elsewhere. Currently, the United States spends an estimated $6 billion a year on textbooks, at a per pupil cost of $109. Nationwide deployment of eTextbooks would eventually reduce that cost to $80 per pupil, saving school districts nationwide $500 million to $700 million each year.
Freedman proposes a pilot project, providing eTextbooks to 400,000 students initially, and if successful, ramping the program up to encompass the entire nation.
"The point is the time to have this conversation is now," Freedman said. "We need to think about how to use these new technologies in schools. And policymakers should be considering concrete ways to pilot these ideas, and bring the tools that work to help teachers and students to the classroom as soon as possible."
DLC CEO Bruce Reed said, "eTextbooks can keep students at the cutting edge and save schools money at the same time."
Full text of the report is available here. For more information, or to speak with Thomas Z. Freedman or Bruce Reed, please contact Marc Dunkelman at mdunkelman@dlc.org.
The Democratic Leadership Council seeks to promote debate within the Democratic Party and the public at large about national and international policy and political issues. For additional information, web users may access the Democratic Leadership Council online at www.dlc.org, or contact the DLC's press office at (202) 546-0007 or at press@dlc.org.

Un Kindle dans chaque sac à dos - TIC et éducation au Canada : l'Infobourg

Un Kindle dans chaque sac à dos - TIC et éducation au Canada : l'Infobourg

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