The Digital Age vs.

The Classic Codex

By: Shree Ray

English 1103
Spring 2011
 Inquiry Question

How Does Learning Vary Between

Digital and Codex Materials and Which
Results in a Better Outcome?
 Digital.

 Dig-i-tal: (adj.) characterized by electronic and especially

computerized technology. (Merriam-Webster)

 Examples include: Computer, smart phone, tablet, smart reader,

mp3 players, and a lot more.

 Prior to any research I believe that digital learning is something

that will aid in the development of education and is more
advantageous than codex.
 Codex.

 Co-dex: (noun) a manuscript book especially of Scripture, classics,

or ancient annals. (Merriam-Webster)

 Examples include: book, textbook, magazine, reference book,

newspaper, letter, journal, article, and endless others.

 My hypothesis about the codex is that codex is not restricted to, but
mostly advantageous primarily because it may be less distracting, but
other than that, digital can do everything that written texts can.
 Observations.

 I have recently observed at the library that students who

study at a desk with just a book, paper, and pencil are
more bound to their seat and more focused on the topic
than someone who has the ability to browse the web, and
talk to friends on chat.
 I have noted that students who rely on technology to learn
have more sources than the plain old textbook, and may
understand the concepts more easily due to another source
explaining it better or better representation of their
material being presented.
 More Observations.

 Another extremely helpful observation that I have made is

that students tend to be more organized when taking
digital notes because it is quicker to correct and edit than
paper.
 If used correctly, many eReaders will provide you with a
definition of a word just by tapping on it, this is
something I found out while conducting research that
really made me feel that technology was extremely more
resourceful than codex.
 Online Courses.

 Something that is very advantageous about technology is the

fact that it enables online courses to be taken for mostly any
class offered.
 These classes are flexible to students learning techniques, as
well as time.
 The concept of an online class is a great one, but requires
minimum codex materials. Most materials are provided
through a website and all the work is turned in digitally.
 The major disadvantages found with this is the clarity of the
assignments and the ability to communicate with the
instructor with full ease. (Basham).
 Digital Advantages.

 Reed College constructed a one semester testing on how

the iPad would work for them and their school. The most
amazing part of their testing was the realization that
students who are disabled such as mute, or deaf, and
many other things could ease more into learning and be
able to express themselves more and get involved more.
(Ipads in School).
 Digital Advantages.

 Many people predict that schools that use technology, and

shift to mobile-technology will be better off than old
school techniques to learn. (Kelly).
 It is also predicted that this would be the best way to keep
up with the ever so changing technology is to use it in
schools so that students will automatically learn and not
have to update their technology knowledge ever so often.
(Raab).
 Digital Advantages.

 Mobile technology can be used as “clickers” to make sure

that students are attending class as well as understanding
materials. (Selwyn).
 Another great fact about digital learning is that it has the
ability to let students as well as parents and teachers
communicate at more ease.
 Certain business colleges use technological devices to
keep their group in touch for important information.
 Digital Disadvantages.

 As computers, there is no guarantee that technology

might not lose your files, therefore it is important to take
precautions such as backing up all your files.
 Another disadvantage of digital learning is the fact that
students may get side tracked as well as share work more
easily leading them to put less effort into their own work.
 Digital devices might be too expensive for some students
preventing them from being as technologically advanced
as the others.
 Digital Disadvantages.

 Digital mediums might not have the same “feel” as a text

book or a book as describe by some of my classmates
when asked why they prefer books over e-books.
 Codex Advantages.

 Paper is reliable in that unless you lose it, there is no way it

will “crash” or “die”.
 Some people learn better when learning from a hard copy
rather than a digital copy. This is because they are more
“hands-on.”
 Contrastingly, some students might be so accustomed to the
computer that they may not be able
to write things without the help of
technology.
 Codex Disadvantages.

 Codex is less resourceful and is limited to certain

information without extensive research.
 Codex cannot be altered as quickly and more efficiently
than digital.
 30 Students chosen to be tested randomly were asked to
write an answer to an open ended question with pen and
paper, only 30% passed this examination compared to the
67% that passed using the computer.
(Russell & Haney)
 Case Study.

 I conducted a case study since the beginning of the Spring

2011 semester to see if the two types of learning
drastically differed. In order to carry on the experiment I
completely used digital materials in one class, and
completely written in the other class.
 Digital: Physics 1101 (Physics I)

 Codex: Math 1242 (Calculus II)

 Case Study.

 In calculus where I used my notebook and pencil to take

notes and study, I found that over the course of over half a
semester, I could easily go back to whatever notes I was
looking for, but there were some days of lectures, in
which I had misplaced the notes.
 I also found that while I was doing problems, I had
outside room to workout the problems, which was good
but did not result in a very organized process.
 Case Study.

 In physics, where I used my Apple iPad to take notes, I

found that it was very easy to access all my notes because
everything was saved in order by date in the same
assigned folder.
 I found that while taking notes, I had more resources,
such as the internet right at my hands to look up unclear
concepts or definitions.
 The disadvantages I found were that my iPad might die
sooner than the end of class, and that I might find myself
tempted to browse the web while taking notes.
 Case Study.

 Conclusively, I discovered that even though I was more

distracted by what technology has to offer, it was more
organized and reliable than written notes.
 Self Analysis
Technology is a huge concern in society today, and so is education. A subject I would like to learn more about is
the effect of old-school reading methods, versus the new technological way we go about reading things. I want to
find out more about this to see the benefits as well as the disadvantages of each side of the issue.

Thus far, we have learned about reading and school systems, and today, technology is a huge part of learning and
improving your knowledge. The question interests me because I use computers and electronic devices quite often to
complete assignments and read about new things.

What I already know about the issue is mostly opinions. I feel like iPads and computers are distracting and not the
primary way to study. There are many advantages though to reading on the iPad, like the dictionary feature on iBook.
I want to research more about this topic to find out which one is better, reading a actual book or an electronic device.

I arrived at this question by one of the writing to explore prompts. I sat in the library and noticed that people not
using technology were more focused on their work than those on computers. Questions that just arouse as a I begin
to work on my question further, I really have no further question about the topic. I am just extremely interested and
excited to research more about the topic.

Important things I want to include in the inquiry paper include observations, and conclusions about the topic. I
want to include scenarios that affect all age groups. Also, I want to research any farther technology that might
develop to encourage educational reading. I think structure is important in this paper to help organize my thoughts.
My next step should be a detailed outline of my paper so that I can make my paper flow better.
 Works Cited

 Basham, James D., Helen Meyer, and Ernest Perry. "The Design and Application of the Digital
Backpack." Journal of Research on Technology in Education 42.4 (2010): 339. MasterFILE Premier.
EBSCO. Web. 21 Feb. 2011.

 Ipads in School. Wordpress. 2010. Web. April 4, 2011

 Kelly, Frank S, Ted D. E. McCain, and Ian Jukes. Teaching the Digital Generation: No More Cookie-
Cutter High Schools. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Corwin Press, 2009.Print. Merriam-Webster. 2011.
Web. April 4, 2011.

 Raab, Ralph. "Books and Literacy in the Digital Age." American Libraries 41.8 (2010):
34. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 21 Feb. 2011.

 Russell, Michael, and Jennifer Higgins. "Assessing Affect of Technology on Learning." 2003. Web.
16 Mar. 2011. <http://escholarship.bc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi? article=1002&context=intasc&sei-
redir=1#search="how+does+technology+affect +standardized+test">.

 Selwyn, Neil. Schools and Schooling in the Digital Age: A Critical Analysis. London: Routledge, 2011.
Print.