ETEC 522- DIGITAL TEXTBOOKS
Introduction:
In a fast-paced information world, it is becoming increasingly evident that what students learn in courses will be out of date by the time they begin their working careers. New information is produced so rapidly that students need the tools to find, manage, and evaluate new information. Digital textbooks serve as a source of knowledge in a digital environment. Using multimodality and interactivity, they can include features such as video clips, animation, and augmented reality to enhance the learning experience.
The term “digital textbook” is an umbrella term that can include:
E-Textbooks
- E-textbooks are digital versions of printed textbooks that replace existing paper-based textbooks.
- A feature includes QR codes in text that link to audio/visuals:
- Example: Resonances: Examining Music in Its Cultural Contexts
E-book
- A book published in a digital form, consisting of text, images, or both, and produced on, published through, and readable on computers or other electronic device
- Watch the e-book video below to learn more
Open Source Textbook
- No restrictions on copying or printing and allows anyone to collaborate for free
- Modern print-on-demand services allow for authors to make low-cost print editions available (usually less than $20).
- Electronic editions, created with LaTeX, PreTeXt, or LibreTexts, are generally completely free to the students, who only need an internet connection in order to access them.
- students have access to the text on the first day of class & don't have to wait for orders
- can usually be accessed flexibly in many different formats as convenient for any student with connection to the internet
Educational Software
Computer programs used for teaching and self-regulated learning. Most examples are drill-and-practice, educational games, educational apps, learning objects, podcasts, digital artifacts, etc.
What Is An eBook?
Our purpose:
Digital textbooks are used by students of all ages and working professionals throughout the world. For the purpose of this Open Educational Resource, we have narrowed our research of digital textbooks that target the K-12 and post-secondary student market. The goal is to examine digital textbooks from the perspective of a K-12 or post-secondary educator to determine its advantages, as well as its challenges, and the improvements to be made on what is a potentially transformative learning resource.