Defining the Digital Textbook
Students are tossing traditional textbooks with paper pages in favor of looking up their information on the computer, Kindle or iPad. These devices offer the ability to rent digital versions of the same textbooks, which are accessible through any online device. In some cases, digital textbooks can be accessed for free, if they are part of the public domain in cyberspace. Teachers, as a general rule, do not mind if students use the electronic or the traditional model of the textbook, as long as it delivers the same information and students remain focused on the task at hand, rather than surfing the Internet during class time.
Some teachers also appreciate the versatility of iPads in the classroom, since they offer much more than access to digital textbooks. Scott Cohen, a professor at Stonehill College, uses the iPads for his class instruction because he can incorporate many different resources into a single lesson, with a simple touch of the screen.
“The iPad really helps move between different kinds of texts and material, visual, cinematic, written, audio, etcetera,” Cohen told Mind Shift. “Students love them, beyond just being a shiny new device.”
- Cost – Although e-readers may come with a fairly large price tag, the savings between digital and traditional textbooks adds up quickly.
- Faster Searches – Instead of thumbing through pages of text, students can find the passages they are looking for with fast keyword searches.
- Supplemental Information – Students have the ability to add to their knowledge warehouse by simply performing online searches for additional information as they are reading.
- Environmental Friendliness – Digital textbooks save trees and never end up in landfills like traditional textbooks.
- Highlighting – Students who like to follow along during class and highlight relevant portions of text may find this significantly more challenging with a digital textbook.
- Eye Strain – Staring at an electronic screen can result in more eyestrain than staring at the pages of a book for some students.
- Battery Power – Electronic devices like iPads and computers must be charged regularly to continue running throughout class time.
- Disparity – Not every student can afford a digital device, so education disparities between the wealthy and the poor may be further magnified if digital textbooks become the primary resource used in classrooms.
