The recent experiment in four schools of St. Petersburg aims to replace traditional paper textbooks with e-readers, electronic devices designed for reading digital books and magazines. The first experimental results have already revealed some practical problems.

      The experiment, a part of the federal project, involves manufacturers of electronic devices, the largest Russian publishing houses, as well as the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation and the Federal Institute for Educational Development.

      The agreement on the participation of pupils from St. Petersburg was signed September 26, 2011, and after that devices were received by schools.

      The experiment aims to show all the pluses and minuses of electronic textbooks.

      The first advantage, noted by all participants in the experiment, is the weight of the reader. The gadget of not a big size can replace 10 kg of textbooks. The second plus is the interest among children, who like to read the e-book more than the traditional one. And finally, the third plus is the e-ink technology which doesn’t badly affect the sight. The use of electronic paper, or e-paper, allows e-readers to mimic the appearance of ordinary ink on paper.

      As for disadvantages, it should be noted that it is rather difficult to combine video, audio, text, tables, references and images in one e-book. Schools now have only the electronic version of the usual paper textbook without many additional functions. This greatly reduces the capacity of e-book.

       In addition, in the school ¹ 248 e-readers are in black and white, and the teachers say that studying geography with colorful maps or biology with drawings of the circulatory system is very difficult due to the lack of color.

      One part of e-books allows you to make notes, another doesn't have this opportunity, but instead you can listen to music and audio books. Teachers insist that it is necessary to make e-book a multifunctional device with all the features of paper books and added functions.

      The final results of the experiment will be revealed in summer. 

      Spurce: RG. Image courtesy: www.knowabouthealth.com.