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Digital content replaces textbooks in pilot program
My response to this article:
I have always wondered why more text book publishers haven't made a bigger effort to create digital textbooks instead of publishing printed text books for schools. Now, I realize that not every classroom has a computer for each student and that it may be years before this happens, but it is on the horizon. When this does happen, I believe that more and more schools will choose to opt out of purchasing expensive text books, that become out of date in a matter of months, and will opt in for online learning resources. Online multimedia can engage students in the content much more easily than simple words and pictures in a book. Think of the possibilities! Interactive learning activities, online videos, sound clips, and a constant feed of new knowledge as it becomes available all in the hands of teachers and students!
I also wonder why many schools continue to invest money in textbooks when they could be using that money toward filling classrooms with inexpensive computers, net books, or iPads. Textbooks have not gotten cheaper. If anything textbooks continue to become more expensive, while computers seem to be dropping in price. Publishers and schools have many opportunities in this digital world we live in. Why not tap into the possibilities this world offers. What are your thoughts?
Digital text books are here and being used in companion ship with actual text books. My son this last trimester used the text book in class and then did his homework from the digital text book from his ipod. I have to admit coming from the days (way) before internet and hand held computers I wondered if he was getting continuity with this knew means of learning, but he usually Aced his homework assignments so he must of be getting something.
ReplyDeleteIn my computer classes I use an electronic typing program to teach keyboarding. However, I'm concerned with the pace. Some students are moving along at an appropriate pace while others are still in the beginning. So do I continue to let them move at their own pace or should a bring out the old typing books and move everyone along in learning the keyboard. This is my first year of teaching older elementary students keyboarding and wonder if a little of both isn't the best way to go? There is something to be said for the feel of a book in your hands.
I believe that the reality of each student having their own ipad or laptop is not too far into the future.
ReplyDeleteMy 5 yr old daughter came home the other day and told me she listened to a story an i-something. She said she got to put a puzzle together on the i-something when she finished the story. I asked if it was an ipad and she said, "yeah, that's it."
The technology is here. We need to be prepared to use it.
Brandon, nice post and thoughts here.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I want to move away from text books, especially in light of all the amazing content we have available online and digitally, it's still challenging designing appropriate activities and lessons without reference materials.
I discovered this while trying to create an online version of one of our courses at Weber State University. The department hasn't yet designed an online version of this course, so I'm researching and designing the content.
The hardest part is matching learning objectives created by the department with appropriate content and materials. Sometimes learning outcomes (at least in higher education) are designed by the department, so they can be extremely specific to the community. I have no experience with public education. It may be similar. Finding support materials for free online would have been ideal for my design, but I couldn't find much.
I also had a chance recently to speak to a group of text book publishers at a conference last month and brought up digital textbooks. Most of them said they didn't think digital formats had enough demand to warrant investment. Weird. And these were big publishers. Maybe their reps were in the dark. Who knows. But I love the idea of digital materials and classes with no text books. Students just sell textbooks back anyway.
I know I much prefer using digital materials and books that are online, just for the cost aspect. An investment in an iPad or computer is better than buying books every semester that you know will be worth very little in a matter of weeks.
ReplyDeleteWith the prices of computers decreasing, I think digital is the future!