Last post, I went to the extreme of comparing digital textbooks to putting

“Lipstick on a Pig”. So I promise that I will lead you away from the make-up aisle and towards something that will change your teacher…Forever.

Way to raise the bar Lit Maven!

Anyway, I have been thinking about this post in my sleep. Which, I know is fairly sad…but it is all for the educational good.

Anyway…it begins with this… it’s a matter of definition.

(not the Canadian TV Show)

and definitely not the show’s Theme Song or Austin Powers

What it isn’t

For me, I am not talking about a “Digital” Textbook as simply a digital version of a regular textbook.

Some schools use the term E-book or “digital equivalent”, as suggested in this article.

My Definition

So what is your definition, Lit Maven?

I envision or define a digital textbook, like writers’ notebooks. An all encompassing catchment for a subject area or subjects combined. Pulling in audio, video and other resources into a home base for students. Combining all the features of a digital textbook except…it is created by the teacher (perhaps also from students).

This would be a huge undertaking. But wouldn’t it be worth it?

I must digress..once a teacher asked me for help with her struggling reader. I suggested some resources or things that she could create.

She said, “I don’t have time.”

I thought, “So it’s easier to do nothing. It’s easier to ignore a student who is struggling?” (Please note the sarcasm)

So yes…it requires work, but so do all things, that are worthwhile.

What Do We Call it?

So what name can we use to replace the digital textbook?

I am thinking CLN(Classroom Learning Network ). But I also what the name to suggest a unifying element, a central hub of info. I will continue to ponder it. Please let me know what you think.

Also,check out this #Edchat summary. It helps to get the discussion started.

Next Post: Baking a “textbook” from scratch.

Until Next Time,

Lit Maven Out!

No More Paper, No More Books…No More Problems…

I find the topic of digital textbooks to be fascinating. It sounds appealing…heck it sounds romantic…. Really?…Lit Maven.

Let me explain….

The current situation is that most students are using “regular” textbooks.

I remember the excitement of opening a textbook at the beginning of the year and seeing who had their name in it last year.

If it was a boy, there was sure to be bad words somewhere…or Rock Band logos…Sometimes there were speech bubbles with inappropriate comments.

The textbook was a rite of passage. A unifying force so to speak. Walk down the hall and you knew who was in which grade or at least, taking which classes. But how old school is that notion…

But the question cannot be about textbooks vs. digital textbooks. It has to be this:

Can we move away from digital textbooks (textbooks) towards a blend of other internet resources?

You see…it is a matter of intention. If it is to save money, by having a digital textbook then essentially you are putting lipstick on a pig.

Are we enlightening he child…or lightening the backpack?

Oh I know..you are thinking..”there is so much you can do with a digital textbook, Lit Maven.”

Perhaps you can change the font size or search more efficiently…but really is this a breakthrough?

NO.

So what can we do instead?

This week I would like to investigate the possibilities of teacher created textbooks. That is… textbooks (resources) that are a blend of materials such as audio,video, images etc.

I will be answering questions like:

Where can you find the information to include?

How can you store and distribute the information?

Of course I may come up with more questions along the way.

But…

Until Next Time,

Lit Maven Out!