It’s been billed as “revolutionary” and “simple to use.” But there’s something missing from the Kindle reading device that is causing some schools to shy away from it as an alternative to traditional textbooks.

Syracuse University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison both recently purchased a limited number of Kindles for students to try. But both put the brakes on a broad rollout because the device isn’t easily accessible to users who are blind.

The devices have an audio feature, but it’s tough – if not impossible — to activate without the help of a sighted person.

In a statement, the National Federation of the Blind applauded the schools’ stance. The group said schools shouldn’t think about making broad use of the Kindle unless it becomes accessible to blind users.

Will Kindle eventually replace traditional textbooks? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

If this were Jeopardy, the answer might read: “This academic tool has been around for 500 years, but is slowly being replaced by its electronic counterpart.”

Can you guess the question?

There’s no Daily Double involved, but if you asked, “What is a book?” you’re right.

Is this an overstatement? Maybe yes, maybe no.

Take a look at these facts, and you be the judge:

• Princeton, Case Western, Reed, Darden School at the University of Virginia, Pace and Arizona State are partnering with Amazon to try out the Kindle e-book reader on their students.
• Missouri School of Journalism students will be required to buy an iPhone or iPod this fall, so they can electronically download course material.
• Columbia University added four times the number of electronic books to its collection this past year compared to traditional books.

While 99% of individual buyers still purchase traditional books, it seems the move of higher ed institutions toward e-books is picking up speed.

Amazon has purposely enlarged the screen of its new Kindle DX to accommodate textbook photos, charts and tables. The display is now 9.7 inches, more than twice as large as the old model.

Publishers who turn out scholarly works are beginning to omit footnotes and photos, so they can be better adapted to e-books. Textbook topics themselves are changing in order to become more cyberspace-friendly.  Even electronic versions of scholarly magazines are steadily gaining ground.

Naturally, there are pros and cons to e-books:

• Pros: more immediate, searchable and interactive.
• Cons: not as durable, portable or – and this is a big one – affordable.

So where does that leave the future of the traditional textbook? Do you agree with the Columbia University librarian who says we’re in a “war for the access of information”?

Let us know your stand on e-books vs. textbooks in the comments section below.