Let s Get Digital My Take on E-texts and Tablets
A
By Sarah Erdely ’12 Photo: Jeff Bruzee ’14
s I prepared myself for the final semester of my senior year at Juniata, I was sure to make a checklist of all of the essentials to get me through my final courses and overcome senioritis: textbooks, check; pens and pencils, check; highlighters, check; printer ink, check; and coffee for my French press, check. I felt quite prepared, but, when the first day of class arrived, I felt panicked as I reached into my backpack to pull out a notebook and, lo and behold, there was none. How could something so obvious not make it on to my checklist? Thankfully since I take my iPad everywhere with me, I pulled it out and began to type the notes.
As much as I love technology and keeping up with the latest gadgets, I’ve never been one to type my notes in class. I had used a paper and pen since kindergarten. I recalled vaguely, in the chaos, that a friend had told me about some great apps to keep notes organized (Notes Plus, Evernote, etc.), so I decided to give it a shot and I quickly began to enjoy typing my notes. Being able to quickly bold, italicize, underline, and highlight made my notes organized and the important information stand out. And, I realized that carrying the iPad was much better than lugging around a huge 5-subject notebook all day. I began to ask my friends about ebooks and using tablets in class. Those who had tablets and have tried the etextbook option aren’t going to switch back to those 30-pound overpriced hardcovers. But, the others who don’t use etextbooks said it was because they were too caught up in the routine of using pens and flipping pages. They just weren’t ready to make the switch to digital. Well, I am. I wish I had another semester to experiment and get only etextbooks and enjoy not having back pain after carrying a backpack full of books across campus all day. I’ve learned a lot about e-texts since that fateful first day of my senior year. So you would guess I’m ready to get rid of books. Not quite. Books represent humanity: our culture and our history. Since Gutenberg invented the printing press, books, newspapers and magazines have told a story about human progress. And, as they evolved, printed books have dramatically changed our communication and education system. But, rumor has it that Apple is soon to revolutionize the textbook industry, selling all textbooks for just $15 to tablet devices. At that point, I’m sure those who are hesitant to breakout of their normal routine will happily say goodbye to their hefty textbooks and help save some trees.
juniata / Fall ’12
7