Griffin, M, & Cady, M. (2010). Is it time to switch to digital textbooks?. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(3), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-november.aspx
Two teachers provide differing views on the question of switching from paper textbooks to digital textbooks. For the pro-side of the argument, digital textbooks fit in with the myriad other digital such as cell-phones, ipods, and digital cameras that young people are more accustomed to using in their everyday lives that would therefore not only lower the technology barrier for digital textbooks but also get students more engaged with textbooks because of their digital qualities. Moreover, technology would enhance student understanding of the text by tools within digital textbooks that deal with pronunciation, language translation, and up-to-date information to make student interaction with the text more efficient. The counter-argument against digital textbooks is not against this innovation per se but against textbooks in general, as the teacher who points out that teaching from textbooks might not be the best (and only) way to teach subject matter and that for the majority of students this is true. Focusing more on teaching methods and other online resources is preferable to textbooks in general regardless of what form they come in. From my perspective, I agree with the pro-side of the argument that digital textbooks offer a number of possibilities with student engagement when paired with technology. However, the counter-argument is a more radical step away from textbooks in general that I agree with more. A boring textbook is a boring textbook regardless if it’s digital or not and although reading is important, students should also learn material through other means such as projects, collaboration, teaching methods, etc. The counter-argument makes a more convincing point because it seeks to reform the learning process in general.
Two teachers provide differing views on the question of switching from paper textbooks to digital textbooks. For the pro-side of the argument, digital textbooks fit in with the myriad other digital such as cell-phones, ipods, and digital cameras that young people are more accustomed to using in their everyday lives that would therefore not only lower the technology barrier for digital textbooks but also get students more engaged with textbooks because of their digital qualities. Moreover, technology would enhance student understanding of the text by tools within digital textbooks that deal with pronunciation, language translation, and up-to-date information to make student interaction with the text more efficient. The counter-argument against digital textbooks is not against this innovation per se but against textbooks in general, as the teacher who points out that teaching from textbooks might not be the best (and only) way to teach subject matter and that for the majority of students this is true. Focusing more on teaching methods and other online resources is preferable to textbooks in general regardless of what form they come in. From my perspective, I agree with the pro-side of the argument that digital textbooks offer a number of possibilities with student engagement when paired with technology. However, the counter-argument is a more radical step away from textbooks in general that I agree with more. A boring textbook is a boring textbook regardless if it’s digital or not and although reading is important, students should also learn material through other means such as projects, collaboration, teaching methods, etc. The counter-argument makes a more convincing point because it seeks to reform the learning process in general.
Question 1
What is the main flaw with the idea that classrooms should use digital-textbooks because they allow for more efficient reading/understanding of the text?
Answer 1
Digital textbooks with the vocabulary and language contained therein, that are advertised in the article, is not a giant leap from using other online resources in conjunction with reading a textbook. Other online resources such as scholarly websites and online translation tools can be used without making it seem that switching to digital textbooks that contains these advantages are necessary.
Question 2
How might digital textbooks be a negative for teaching?
Answer 2
Although the advantages mentioned in the article might help students read digital textbooks more efficiently, teachers might use and rely too much on technology to teach their students without helping them directly. Therefore, teachers might forgo developing other methods that might help engage students with the subject matter outside of text.
No comments:
Post a Comment