What were some of the issues raised in the podcast? Do you agree/disagree with some of the points raised? How will this initiative impact on you as a learner and a teacher? Give reasons.
Post on May 9 2010 (permalink) -edithistorydelete
Created on Sunday, 05/09/2010 8:54 PM by CATHY-ANNE SCOTT
The podcast relating to the internet service Google Book Search raised a number of relevant issues for the public, educators, authors and publishers alike. Some of the issues included Google’s exclusive internet publication rights, the commercialisation of books and privacy related issues.
I am of the opinion that Google Book Search is a positive step in providing the world with access to information and its “ cultural, social and historical “ heritage in print. The ‘world of literature’ should not be confined to institutions of higher learning or city libraries, access to this immense body of knowledge should be freely available. I realise Google has commercial interests in the project, however I doubt that any other large corporation would have had the technology or financial power to make this possible. I agree with the comment made in regards to orphan books, it is better to have “ a world where one is distributing rather than a world where no one is distributing them”. The issue of privacy does concern me slightly. I realise that Google records all searches from specific IP addresses, Google’s privacy assurances and policy of no password is somewhat comforting.
As a learner and future educator I applaud Google’s Book Search facility. A Google search can locate books that I may be interested in purchasing, I can quickly skim a few pages or a chapter and decide if I would like to purchase it or see if the book is available in the library. QUT library searches can be somewhat restricted as they do not link to chapter topics. I believe that in the future students will be reading books on portable e-readers that will have interactive features including digital bookmarking and built in dictionaries.
Borders Online have just introduced an e-reader called KOBO eREADER. The site lists a large number of kids e-books for instant download. Borders is also offering a free app download so that their e-books can be read on a PC. A teacher could purchase an e-book and project it on to an IWB. The book could then be used in a modelled reading episode.
