Connections Continued . . .

September 2009 • Vol 32

Tech Edge

Digital Textbooks ~ Not “If”, but rather “when” Cyndi Dunlap, NHSTE Professional Development & CMTC Chair cdunlap55@comcast.net   By most accounts, it is not a matter of “if” any longer, but rather a matter of “when” and “in what format”, if you are discussing the topic of digital textbooks.The first adoptions began at the college and university level a number of years ago with varying degrees of success.The conversation has quickly moved to the K-12 public education arena.This article provides a quick overview of the pros, cons, and current status with respect digital textbooks in public education.A list of current articles provides further depth on this topic is included as well.   Why digital textbooks (pros)? -Rising printing and distribution costs are one of the primary reasons public education is investigating digital alternatives to print textbooks.I once heard in a keynote presentation that the largest profit margin in the school textbook supply chain was in the shipping.If you eliminate the shipping costs alone, you significantly reduce the cost of the content. -Growing concern over the weight of secondary texts (grades 6-12) and the impact this weight is having on student long-term health and safety.It is estimated that K-12 students potentially carry half their weight in textbooks at some point in their school careers. -Many students, school leaders, and communities are seeking “green alternatives” to status quo solutions.Schools are relying less on paper-based strategies and more on digital environments for communication, management, and instruction. -The growing and changing body of knowledge in the sciences, social sciences, cultural and political studies, and economics quickly obsolete portions of print textbooks – sometimes before they are even delivered! In states with statewide adoption guidelines, traditional print textbooks are generally approved by states on a six-year cycle.Think of the changes that happen in 6 years! -Digital collections of resources allow teachers and students to more readily reorganize, interact with, analyze, and compare information in a manner that is engaging and personalized. -Many current textbook publishers are already providing electronic content and tools, along with many technology-based supplemental and remediation products.They appear to be accepting the inevitable and ramping up for the 21^st century, albeit a bit late!   What are the challenges (cons)? -Acceptance of a change this significant is itself a challenge that school and district leaders must embrace, accept, and integrate as appropriate.Finding the correct balance of digital-based materials along with print resources and manipulatives will be a long and thought provoking task. -Working through the transition from print to digital will require the development of new policies, procedures, and guidelines, some we can anticipate, some we will need to address as they arise over time. -The delivery method or format for digital media is in a state of flux.There is no standard format across eReader devices.Each device comes with its own pros and cons.The Kindle and Sony eReaders appear to be making the greatest marketing effort at this time, but other eReaders are quickly showing up as competition.The COOL-ER was highlighted in the August issue of eSchoolNews (http://www.coolreaders.com/) -eReaders are not the only form of digital textbook distribution.Core course content material could also be delivered via web-based portals managed with unique student accounts.The greatest draw back of this strategy is that not all students have quality web access from learning environments beyond the school. -Policies and legal governance around digital material continue to evolve.I am sure most of you heard about the removal of an unauthorized copy of George Orwell’s 1984 from thousands of Kindles.One student who lost the notes for a course he was taking and had embedded within the text on his Kindle is in the process of suing Amazon.Most Kindle owners did not realize that Amazon had the ability to remove content from their device once purchased.This territory is still very gray and evolving.Schools are unlikely to invest in proprietary solutions until standards and compatibility issues are addressed. -Even if a stable, non-proprietary eReader solution were to become available, the question still remains; can an eReader device present graphics, illustrations, and complex layouts as effectively as print resources?Even with the new larger screen Kindle (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/technology/companies/04reader.html?_r=1) and the Sony PRS-700 (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/technology/personaltech/26pogue-email.html) many question the eReader as a comprehensive textbook solution.   Who is leading the way in K-12 digital textbook adoption?   California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida appear to be leading the way in allowing textbook funds to purchase digital content and moving toward the adoption of digital text books.A summary of these state efforts follows:   -California ~ Governor Schwarzenegger is strong proponent of digital textbooks as both a cost saving and educational update to 21^st century teaching learning.California is the first state to feature digital textbooks statewide, announcing in August the first 10 free digital textbooks in math and science. oSchwarzenegger's push for digital textbooks 6/11/09 - http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0611/p02s14-usgn.html oCA first to feature digital textbooks statewide 8/12/09 - http://www.examiner.com/x-15977-SF-K12-Education-Examiner~y2009m8d12-CA-first-to-feature-digital-textbooks-statewide   -Arizona ~ Individual school/districts in Arizona, such as Empire High School and Cienega High School in the Vail School District are offering “digital sections” of some courses.At the college level, Arizona State University plans to pilot e-textbooks using Kindles, costing the students approximately half the price of print versions. oIn a Digital Future, Textbooks Are History 8/8/09 - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/education/09textbook.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&partner=rss&emc=rss oASU plans to try out e-textbooks: Course will use Kindles, cutting book costs in half 7/27/09 - http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/2009/07/27/20090727nobooks0724-CP.html   -Texas ~ Legislators in Texas are pushing for greater flexibility for school districts when spending “textbook” funds, half of which come from the state.Educational practitioners are also suggesting that the digital textbook plan for the State of Texas should include an equitable school trial. oHouse panel says Texas schools must embrace electronic textbooks 3/5/09 - http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/030509dntextextbooks.3c71f04.html oIs it time for public education to use digital textbooks? 8/12/09 - http://www.examiner.com/x-18682-Austin-Education-Improvement-Examiner~y2009m8d12-Is-it-time-for-public-education-to-use-digital-textbooks     -Florida ~ Florida schools may now explore and integrate FreeReading.net resources into reading curriculum.Starting with the 2008-09 school year, Florida adopted FreeReading.net on its short list of K-3 supplemental reading programs that schools may use state instructional money to purchase.This is the first open instructional program to be approved through an official state adoption. oFlorida adopts open-content reading platform: State officials add FreeReading.net to their approved list of reading curriculum resources - http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=51790 oFlorida's Digital Textbook Dilemma - http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/aug/13/floridas-digital-textbook-dilemma--96246/   Additional digital textbook and eReader resources for your review . . .   General overview regarding digital textbooks in education:   -eSchoolNews: The rise of digital textbooks 9/9/08
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?print&i=55156   -eSchoolNews: Online textbooks: Hope or hype? 7/27/09
Diverse districts say digital texts are the future; "living textbooks" are part of 21st century learning
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=59876   -Free Digital Textbook Initiative Review Results
http://www.clrn.org/fdti/   -Are digital textbooks the money-saving wave of the future? 8/19/09
http://www.physorg.com/news169931318.html   References regarding technical evolution in eReaders:   -E-reader Conference Will Spotlight Hearst Venture 8/10/09
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/departments/online/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004001774   -E-Reader Plot Thickens With New Sony Devices 8/5/09
http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/67780.html?wlc=1251167539 -L&L article   -E Ink Deal Could Hasten Kindle Color Display 6/2/09
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/67222.html   -David Pogue NY Times Article and Video Review of the Kindle 2/24/09http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/technology/personaltech/24pogue.html
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/02/26/technology/personaltech/1194838175931/the-kindle-2-e-reader.html