Research Paper Topic: Digital Alternatives to Traditional Textbooks

Digital Alternatives to Traditional Textbooks

The issue of textbook adoption and purchase is a “hot” topic in our curriculum department in Davis School District. This issue has personal interest to me. I have been given the charge to investigate the current research and practices concerning e-texts, digital resources, and paperless curriculum across the US and make recommendations that will help shape the direction we will head in our district. I am curious to explore what the research says about this new trend in the delivery of instructional materials.The print textbook is expensive, outdated, and often time not used to its full capacity in our classrooms. This issue begs the question of; are digital alternatives a more effective way to deliver information and instruction in today's classroom?

To go digital or not go digital, that is the question School Districts all over the nation are facing. The use of digital textbooks, open-source software and materials, and cutting-edge handheld electronics, are shaping the future of instruction in the American classroom. The questions surrounding this issue are how fast, to what extent, and at what costs?

In classrooms all over the country, students are using outdated, fixed, and limited resource materials called textbooks. Districts are spending millions of dollars on materials that are outdated before they are delivered in their shrink wrapped covers to our schools. The world of information is changing at a fast pace and our classrooms are lagging when it comes to current, relevant, and dynamic instructional materials.

This issue does not come without disagreement or controversy. Many skeptics offer concern and cautions when addressing the ability to transition from the printed text to the digital text. The largest concern is cost, the cost of the equipment and the cost of the professional development for teachers to use it correctly and effectively. Other questions and concerns are the 1) rapid change in technology, how will school districts keep up the changes? 2) How do we ensure quality? 3) How do we expedite the vetting process? 4) How do we ensure equal access? Not all students have access to a computer or the internet at home.

References:

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Dillon, N. (2008). The e-Volving Textbook. American School Board Journal, 195(7), 20-23. http://search.ebscohost.com

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SCHACHTER, R. (2009). DIGITAL Classrooms Take Flight. District Administration, 45(9), 30-37. http://search.ebscohost.com

Farrell, M. (2009, June 11). Schwarzenegger's push for digital textbooks. Christian Science Monitor, p. 2. http://search.ebscohost.com

Christopher, L. (2008). Academic Publishing: Digital Alternatives to Expensive Textbooks. (Cover story). Seybold Report: Analyzing Publishing Technologies, 8(19), 11-14. http://search.ebscohost.com

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Walthes, S. (2005). Using Handhelds in K-12 Classrooms. Media & Methods, 42(1), 9-11. http://search.ebscohost.com