While it may seem more practical to buy an all-in-one tablet device, an e-reader device still has its advantages.
When Amazon released its Kindle in 2007, there was plenty of buzz over the death of print and the rise of electronic books. Since then, many imitators have dropped their own e-readers while companies such as Apple have made the case for using a tablet in place of an e-reader. Even Amazon responded with its own Kindle Fire, a tablet for reading, watching movies, playing games, and shopping.
The practical student may wonder why he or she should not spend a few 100 bucks extra to buy a tablet instead of a device that only displays books. However, the student should consider his or her habits and goals.
The tablet is both a gift and a curse, as it provides all the features one may want in a portable device, proving both useful and distracting at the same time. The distracting aspect will pull a student away from reading. Students have a difficult enough time finding seclusion without the Internet getting in the way. A tablet, with all of its extra features, most available offline, is a sure way to ensure the student spends less time reading.
Understand that this is not a case against the tablet, but instead a case for an e-reader device, as the device has other advantages. Staring at only the text on a screen without seeing any notifications or even the rest of the book forces the student to read exactly what is in front of his or her eyes. This provides more targeted, concentrated reading. Essentially, an e-reader device leads to faster reading.
While you may own a tablet, it is worth picking up a used e-reader when it is time for secluded reading.
By Scott Manning
Online Learning Tips, Student Contributor
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