The importance of books, considering the diverses voices and cultures they represent, in world driven by technological devices?
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For thousands of years, long before Gutenberg invented the printing press, access to written sources like scrolls, historical recordings, or books in order to get information was considered a luxury. Books were copied by hand in a painstaking process before most were lost to wars, natural disasters, or neglect. However, Gutenberg's revolutionary invention in the 15th century revolutionized the way books are reproduced and, along with it, people's reading habits changed.
Today, in the 21st century, we are experiencing another such revolution, thanks to digital technology. Like the printing press did, technological blessings like the internet, smartboards, tablets and e-readers are once more reshaping our reading and learning habits entirely.
One of the key things that have changed as a direct consequence of the advancing technology is our way of obtaining new information. The age of searching through dusty library shelves for books to find one piece of information is long gone. Now, one can access hundreds of resources on almost any subject with just a click of a button and by using search engines. Compared to searching through physical books and library archives which might have limited resources, using a search engine to find specific information is much more practical and efficient. Therefore, the time you would need just to find resources in a library could actually be enough to find, examine and critically analyze the same information.
Technology has even changed the way we use libraries. For instance, instead of searching the shelves one by one, you can simply reserve the book you want online, before picking it up in person. This, in turn, saves a lot of time. Some modern libraries even provide their members with opportunities to borrow e-books and gain online access to their database. However, libraries that refuse to adapt to the advancing technology face the risk of becoming obsolete.
For many students, using physical books, pens and paper are a thing of the past. Instead of carrying books and notebooks with them every day, students carry tablets that can hold hundreds of books and allow them to take notes at the same time. They may also benefit from instructive videos during the course, and even sit down for exams online. The textbooks used in class are decked with virtual and audible materials, which can help them follow the lecture and enhance their learning experience. In addition, students now can always stay connected with their teachers, it becomes easier for them to ask and receive help with homework or projects.