2010

Grenman, Katri

The aim of the study was to find out the outlook for the printed book and how it will fare in comparison to the increasing use of ICT at schools. The study was realised through interviews in three countries: Finland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Background material on the use of ICT in schools in these countries is also included in the report. The people who were interviewed were teachers, school book publishers and e-book manufacturers. They were asked to give their opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of the paper book, on their ideal future learning environment and on learning material in general. A final task was to visualise a world without books - where did they go and why? According to the interviews, printed books have their indisputable benefits, especially when it comes to their ease of use, but they also have weaknesses that can't be overcome. Schools today want more interaction, personal projects and updated content. The printed book is not going to disappear from schools in the foreseeable future, but it will need to be supported by ICT. Future schools will most probably incorporate both printed and electronic learning material in order to enjoy fully the benefits of both media.