Promoting
literacy globally is something that many foundations and organizations
worldwide have been working towards for quite some time. These organizations offer
services, grants and donations to libraries and schools in developing
countries. Organizations such as Librarians without Borders, Room to Read, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the International Reading Association, to name a few, have managed to
make great contributions to students who would not have had access to books
otherwise.
"Literacy is one of the key elements
needed to promote sustainable development, as it empowers people so that they
can make the right decisions in the areas of economic growth, social
development and environmental integration. As contentious as issues around
education around the world can be at times, there is little debate about the
fundamental importance of literacy to most human endeavors." (Trucano)
As we all
know, technology is rapidly changing how we are teaching and how students are
learning. This technology is not limited
to only developed countries but much to my surprise it has had a major impact
in developing countries as well. Mobile
technology is rapidly changing communications in Africa. According to the United Nations, more than
half the continent’s population has a mobile device (Watson). Worldwide, the UN data shows that of the seven billion people on earth, more than six billion now have access to a working mobile phone. Even
people living in remote areas are beginning to have access to the internet with
their mobile devices.
With this large number
of mobile devices a “mobile reading revolution” has been happening. Unesco conducted a year- long study and discovered that children and adults are
increasingly reading multiple books on their phones. (Flood) The study found
that “people read more when they read on mobiles devices, that they enjoy
reading more, and that people commonly read books and stories to children from
mobile devices”. (Flood)
I was
surprised to read that so many people in Africa and probably other developing
countries on other continents are reading so much on their mobile devices. Since many are not able to afford to purchase
a computer or get proper internet connection, mobile devices are the next best
thing. EBooks cost substantially less
than a printed book and each device can hold many eBooks. These devices can easily become digital libraries, in the palm of their hands.
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There are also organizations helping
developing countries access eBooks and reading material that are relevant to
the readers. African Storybook is an example
of this. They provide eBooks that are
culturally relevant in English and in several African languages. Worldreader
is another foundation that provides mobile devices and eBooks in developing
countries. A new initiative of theirs is to provide access to solar panels so that mobile devices can be easily
charged. One Laptop Per Child is also
trying to connect under privileged children with laptops. They are successfully running in many
countries worldwide including developed countries.
Doing this
inquiry has made me think about my library and the lack of mobile devices. I have toyed with the idea of having eReaders
available to students but I worry about how to manage the devices and the
purchasing of eBooks. I see a few
students bring their eReaders to school but I wonder how many actually have a
mobile device that could be used to read eBooks.
I think the
first step would be for me to get acquainted with eReaders. EBooks don’t appeal to me since I love the
feel of a book in my hand however kids seem to enjoy them and the technology
might even motivate some of the reluctant readers. Would love to hear of your experience with
eReaders in the library and how they are managed.
It is an
exciting and hopeful time for students in developing countries! I look forward to sharing this inquiry with my colleagues and our school social justice club. Awareness is an important starting point...
"It is not a hyperbole to suggest that if
every person on the planet understood that his or her mobile phone could be
transformed – easily and cheaply – into a library brimming with books, access
to text would cease to be such a daunting hurdle to literacy." (Flood)
Watson, Tom. "Going Mobile In Sub-Saharan Africa To Save Lives - And Change The Future." Forbes Magazine, 11 Feb. 2015. Web. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomwatson/2015/02/11/going-mobile-in-sub-saharan-africa-to-save-lives-and-change-the-future/>.
Works Cited
Flood, Alison. ""Mobile Reading Revolution" Takes off in Developing World." The Guardian. 23 Apr. 2014. Web. <http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/23/mobile-reading-revolution-unesco-study-phones-africa-subcontinent>.
Trucano, Michael. "What We Are Learning about Reading on Mobile Phones and Devices in Developing Countries." Edutech. The World Bank, 12 Sept. 2014. Web. <http://blogs.worldbank.org/edutech/psd/reading-mobile-phones>.
A good blog post that outlines many of the organizations and groups working towards improving the quality of life and access to information, improving the literacy skills of many people in small rural communities in the developing world. Overall, a good reflection on their goals and strategies and how much of an impact they are having. Some good discussion about mobile devices in your own environment, but a small clarification, Ereaders are not usually classified as a "mobile device", in that they usually don't have Cell Phone access, nor are they effective web browsers, and are limited in their abilities. Mobile devices usually refers to smartphones, tablets, and laptops that are multi-functional and can connect and browse the internet. My personal experience with Ereaders (Kobos) in my library has been very positive. Students like reading on the Ereaders, we have hundreds of Ebooks on each device, they last a long time on the battery and they even have a special font for students with Dyslexia.
ReplyDeleteAaron, I too, am curious how you manage the eReaders in your library. Our district is just embarking on a collection of e-editions that can be shared district wide. They are available through the district library website. This library is slowly being added to. I would love to know what the logistics are to introduce ereaders into an elementary library.
DeleteI completely understand your feelings about print books! I have slowly adopted digital books and find myself reading about half of each format. I do like that my tablet and laptop has access to digital libraries so that I can read even when I have finished my print book or not brought one with me. Alot of public libraries have digital collections for access so you could advocate that option for students. Aaron's comment surprised me because I always thought that a Kindle was an eReader and I know it can access the internet. I don't own one so am not sure.
ReplyDeleteAaron, I'm curious about your use of Kobos. Were they a school based purchase? And how do you manage them in the library, for in school use only? And who do your purchase the ebooks through? Sorry for all the questions but it's something so far out of my comfort/knowledge zone! Do you know of elementary schools with experience with them?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about the UNESCO study. I am surprised that so many people are reading using mobile devices! It also seems strange to me that people are enjoying reading more using a device, because I am the same as you and prefer actually holding a book. I wonder if this is just a sign of the times?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the organizations working toward world literacy. It is wonderful to see how many people on working on spreading the love of "books". I was also surprised to see how many e-readers were in those classrooms!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. There is nothing like the feel of turning the pages in a book. Not the same as sliding your finger across the screen. This technology however appeals to our students and gives us one more way to get their noses into a good book!