Comments on: Surely conventional wisdom can’t be right

By: Bryan Person

Bryan Person — Thu, 25 May 2006 14:07:20 +0000

I won’t be the earliest adopter, though. I’ll need to see and hear from at least a few others before taking the plunge. And I wonder what it will be selling for? Can’t find that on the iRex site.

By: neville

neville — Wed, 24 May 2006 21:38:48 +0000

Brian, it looks as though the iRex device might meet your requirements. You can even buy one from the company’s online store. Early adopter heaven!

By: Bryan Person

Bryan Person — Wed, 24 May 2006 20:19:04 +0000

When I really want to get into a good book, I need to do it away from a computer chair. I want to be able enjoy the book on my couch, on my back porch with a beer, or in bed just before I go to sleep. I don’t want to be in any of those places with computer on my lap.

If the iRex device is lightweight and easy to use and “page through,” I’m all for it!

By: neville

neville — Tue, 23 May 2006 07:50:07 +0000

That’s an interesting one, Anna, re degree of thinking. That’s part of it, no doubt. Tools vs knowledge another one. Personal preferences, too.

So books in general will be here for a long time, even though we will soon see devices like the one I mentioned and the corresponding products/services that you use those devices for.

Personally, I can’t wait! I’d rather have one of those than a pile of books.

By: Ed

Ed — Mon, 22 May 2006 14:48:33 +0000

surely this is a case of the tools being there but the knowledge on how to use them is lagging some way behind?

yes technology is extremely useful in learning, but it is useless if it’s being handled by some oxford don who can deconstruct theories brilliantly in his head and on paper but can barely check his email without calling the IT department.

if we’re talking schools, we need to wait for the new breed of teacher (like Neville’s daughter) to replace the old guard and bring with them all of the technology that can complement traditional learning techniques.

By: Anna Farmery

Anna Farmery — Mon, 22 May 2006 11:01:52 +0000

I wonder whether this relates to learning styles as well. Maths, English and science all need a degree of thinking and the more in depth concepts need to sink in - often by re reading a theory to understand (personal experience of this through my Chartered Accountant exams!) But books do allow open access when computer access is sometimes limited, especially in the UK?

By: Sherrilynne Starkie

Sherrilynne Starkie — Sun, 21 May 2006 09:07:28 +0000

I like getting news, facts and figures from online media. But, I love reading a novel, a story, a biography etc off a page. There are lots of reasons why, but lately, the most important one is the distinction between work and play. For me reading stuff on line relates to my job and my business…reading hard copy about enjoying art and leisure. To me, reading a book is pure luxury.

By: neville

neville — Sat, 20 May 2006 18:42:40 +0000

The way things are today, you don’t really have much choice. Reading on a computer screen isn’t ideal, even though I do it a lot (which is probably why I’m getting a new pair of specs soon).

New media do not kill old media - absolutely right, Shel, as we’ve discussed plenty of times. Yet when you see what’s just around the corner such as the iLiad from iRex Technologies, I’ll take an “electronic paper” reader any day if it enables all the things Jeff Jarvis talked about. Which it does.

By: BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Books as conversation

BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Books as conversation — Sat, 20 May 2006 17:59:09 +0000

[...] Neville Hobson points to a report in the Telegraph that says test scores are raised more by investing in books over technology. I think it’s a red herring: Paper is cheaper and buying a computer will do you no more good than buying blank paper; it’s what’s on them that counts. He adds: Does the UK research mean British schoolkids are stuck in a conventional learning pothole? It seems to me more to be about school teachers in a pothole rather than the pupils. [...]

By: Shel Holtz

Shel Holtz — Sat, 20 May 2006 17:18:21 +0000

I’m reading a 900-page biography of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. It is as long as it needs to be to offer the biographical information, details of Hamilton’s life, and Chernow’s perspective based on exhaustive research. At 900 pages, I wouldn’t dream of reading this online. While Jarvis may have a point about some books, I’ll take print for most any day. (Besides, who would want to update “The Mayor of Casterbridge”?) New media do not kill old media.