The ability for teachers and students to embed their own content into digital texts, write notes, and get feedback on student reading—classroom reading just got a lot more dynamic. SLJ columnist Jeff Hastings test driives Gobstopper and Subtext.
SLJ Reviews Gobstopper and Subtext: Apps that Enable Interactive Classroom Reading
By on April 15, 2013 Leave a Comment
Simon & Schuster Launches Ebook Lending Program With NYC Libraries
By on April 15, 2013 Leave a Comment
Simon & Schuster, the last remaining holdout among the Big Six publishers when it comes to library ebook lending, announced today it was launching a program with New York City libraries. The text of the press release follows and this story will update as more information becomes available: Simon & Schuster, together with The New [...]
Bookshare Launches New eBook Tools for Kids with Print Disabilities
By on February 7, 2013 2 Comments
Bookshare has announced that it is launching two new additions to its product line as part of its continuing effort to help kids with print disabilities connect with books. Bookshare Web Reader allows readers to directly open books with a browser without requiring them to download the book or utilize separate software, while Bookshelf allows readers (or their teachers) to organize selections by any system they choose.
CES 2013 Top Trends for Schools: From adaptive ebooks to crowd-funded technology, products to look out for
By on January 23, 2013 Leave a Comment
Grumbling about the relevance of CES notwithstanding, several standout products are set to impact K–12 education. SLJ columnist Jeff Hastings taps the highlights, including one overarching trend that’s bound to affect a wide range of devices for all users.
Kids’ Ebook Reading Nearly Doubled Since 2010, Scholastic Reading Survey Finds
By on January 14, 2013 Leave a Comment
The number of kids reading ebooks has nearly doubled since 2010, according to Scholastic’s Kids & Family Reading Report, which was released today. The national survey of kids age 6–17 and their parents also found that half of kids age 9–17 say they would read more books for fun if they had greater access to ebooks—although 80 percent of kids who read ebooks say they still read books for fun primarily in print.
Ebook Toolkit: SLJ Reviews StarWalk Kids
By on January 9, 2013 1 Comment
School Library Journal columnist Jeff Hastings test drives the new Web- and subscription-based ebook collection StarWalk Kids.
Ebooks 2013: New leasing models, cheaper devices, more content
By on January 4, 2013 2 Comments
“School libraries, I believe, will be the coming focal point for ebook licensing,” write Chris Harris. “We have strong relationships with our K–12 publishing partners, but now we must reach out to the trade houses. As the print market weakens, the time is right for schools to present a new business proposal.”
School Library Journal 2012 – A Year in Review
By on January 2, 2013 Leave a Comment
From the Hunger Games, the Common Core, and maker spaces, to Gangnam Style and the ongoing ebook wars, a look at the highlights and key themes of 2012, according to Twitter.
Libraries Use iPads and Apps to Ramp Up Storytime, but Concerns Remain
By on December 27, 2012 1 Comment
In a shift occurring nationwide, libraries are conducting “digital storytime,” using apps in kids’ programs for education, entertainment, and involving parents in the learning process. But not everyone’s sold on the use of iPads, especially with very young children.
A Call for Fair Ebook Pricing: Site-based pricing has small schools overcharged
By on November 26, 2012 Leave a Comment
Christopher Harris shares his thoughts on how rural districts—with an average size of 1,100 students and less than half the budget of the average New York school district—are, in effect, subsidizing the state’s large, wealthy, suburban systems, which are purchasing the same content at the same cost per building.
