04/10/2023 1

CURRENT EDUCATIONAL ISSUES:DIGITAL TEXTBOOKS

Kevin Skylis

Old Books, New Students

Current textbooks lack digital content

Modern students thrive in digital learning environments

Current textbooks fail to meet the needs of modern learners

New Tools for Learning

Digital Textbooks can be:FlexibleInteractiveModernEngagingLow Cost

What are Digital Textbooks?

No single, simple definition Go beyond printed words to

make “textbooks” a fluid concept

Integrate a variety of media Can be entirely digital or a mix

of print and digital

Who produces digital textbooks?

Textbook publishing companies like: Pearson, Glencoe/McGraw Hill, and Harcourt

Digital textbook developers such as learning.com and Kinetic Books

Non-profit, open source organizations such as CK-12

What are the Advantages to Schools?

Saves schools money!

Allows teachers to be more innovative in their methods

Integrates technology into education

Digital textbooks are easily adaptable

What are the Benefits for Students?

Students don’t have to carry around lots of heavy and expensive books!

Learning becomes more interactive and interesting

Digital textbooks employ a variety of multimedia

Digital textbooks can be tailored to meet the needs of individual learners

Books in a stack.jpgAuthor: austinevanhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/austinevan/1225274637/

Digital Textbooks in California

California recently approved 10 digital textbooks for classroom useThey are for high school math and

science classesAll 10 textbooks are open source

collaborations and free Gov. Schwarzenegger hopes it will

save money and update textbooks

Drawbacks and Disadvantages

Many schools do not have enough computers to use digital textbooks

Open-source digital textbooks may contain unreliable information

Many students would be unable to access digital textbooks at home

CCDHS Classroom, Miles City.jpgAuthor: dave_mcmthttp://www.flickr.com/photos/dave_mcmt/187432802/

Conclusion Digital textbooks enhance

student learning They allow teachers to teach

more effectively Digital textbooks are potential

cost-savers for school districts They enhance curriculum by

integrating technology and multimedia

References1. Waters, John. "Out of Print." T.H.E Journal May 2007: 30-36. Print. 2. Surdin, Ashley. "In some classrooms, books are a thing of the past." The

Washington Post. 19 Oct 2009. The Washington Post Company, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/18/AR2009101802360.html>.

3. Fletcher, Geoffrey. "How Would You Like Your Content?." T.H.E Journal 04 Jan 08: n. pag. Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://thejournal.com/Articles/2008/04/01/How-Would-You-Like-Your-Content.aspx?sc_lang=en&Page=1>.

4. Lewin, Tamar. "In a Digital Future, Textbooks are History." The New York Times. 08 Aug 2009. The New York Times Company, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/education/09textbook.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2>.

Images:5. "books in a stack." flickr. Web. 29 Oct 2009.

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/austinevan/1225274637/>. 6. "CCDHS Classroom, Miles City." flickr. Web. 29 Oct 2009.

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave_mcmt/187432802/>.