During the past year my Ball State University students have been researching the literature (that's academic talk for "trying to find out") on e-book devices. They have tried to see if there is evidence that the use of the devices is of value to grade school students. They have not found a great deal of evidence, but what they have found is discouraging to us who think that e-book devices can be useful. Most of the studies have been short term with few students participating. There are also many caveats that imply that if we knew more about usability of the devices we might...

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No large study has definitively proven that e-books are superior for learning, according to Richard Bellaver at Ball State University. But his small-scale projects continue to suggest the enthusiasm of young students for e-book-style devices, which, if nothing else, are easier on the students' backs than heavy piles of books. What's more, the technology could drive down the costs of books, and his work so far indicates that comprehension does not suffer. Video is from last year. - David Rothman. Following is a synopsis of our continuing attempt to use e-books with elementary school children. We now know that we...

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