CHAPTER 5: LAPTOPS IN THE CLASSROOM & BANKING AT HOME.
-Technology: Slow and steady growth of e-Books-

The reasons cited both publishers and retailers are that Asian readers overall enjoy going shopping and prefer to touch and feel when it comes to books. The Singapore National Library, for example, has launched the Library Hub (www.eLibraryHub.com) in 2001 to complement its network of physical libraries Its website provides access to a rich content of some 10,000 e-Books and electronic magazines. Popular e-Book downloads from Palm (http://ebooks.palm.com/) or free third-party websites include classic novels, contemporary fiction, reference tools, scientific literature, business guides and self-improvement manuals. .

The company predicts that the volume of consumed electronic literature will go up following increased accessibility to e-Book-compatible devices especially smart phones.In learning institutions such as schools, for example, digital downloads allow students to have access to many textbooks and technical references online. One way is to push for standards, after many years of format fragmentation. In 2001 when e-books first arose as a concept, the stereotype was of geeks reading science fiction on their Palm Pilots. Public libraries in the United States are rapidly adopting e-Book lending and their statistics on e-Book loans roughly match those of printed books. Example, about 50 per cent of the borrowed content is fiction, whether e-book or printed book.

CHAPTER 6: A NEW WAY TO GO &YOUNG INVEVTORS
-CONSIDER METHODOLOGY AND OPPORTUNITY-

This is probably due to the question of whether or not to Bahasa Malaysia for the teaching of mathematics and science. I would like to attention two concerns related to this issue: first, the aim of and grounds for the change in medium of instruction for mathematics and science .Second, the means of addressing the standard of English in school. It is important to understand the Education Ministry’s Primary reason for the change. Beside that, English is merely a tool or a medium for acquiring mathematical and sciencetific knowledge, and that developing English language competencies is incidental to the primary objective of learning Mathematics and science.

Therefore to propose that the change in the medium of instruction for Mathematics and Science is for the purpose of improving the standard of English in schools is both weak and unacceptable. In understanding language learning you must first appreciate the role and function of language. Basically, any language is a means of communicating a multiplicity of things whether these are information- or emotionally driven. We must accept that no one is going to learn a language for no reason at all. We must also understand that languages were never created after their rules were constructed.Whatever we decide to do with the teaching of English, Mathematics and Science should not be a decision based on the here and now. More importantly these rules evolve with time and the changing function of language. So they should be used as guides for language use.

NUR FARAHIN ZAMRI
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