Are traditional, printed textbooks headed for extinction? There is a trend toward moving printed publications to digital mediums, but it’s not without controversy. You might think that going digital may save you money, but the savings might not be as large as you think. For one thing, online textbooks are not cheap, and when the initial cost of purchasing the technology to read them is factored in, the cost difference with print textbooks shrinks. And keep in mind that there is no single platform yet that is universally accepted for digital books.
Nevertheless, digital textbooks are clearly an attractive option for many students and school districts with tight budgets. At the upcoming 2009 T+L Conference in Denver, October 28-30, there are a number of sessions planned that will examine the use of digital classroom materials. John Palfrey from Harvard Law School will take a look at how the Internet has fundamentally changed behavior related to information. Jefferson County Public Schools will present a session on how their school libraries have adapted to the digital age combining valued aspects of the traditional library role such as customer service, research assistance, and literary acquisition with enhanced technology and 21st century skills. And Southeast Polk County in Iowa will share how their school libraries combine materials, services, and activities to meet the needs of their community–and make learning fun with the use of digital mediums.
For details on these, and other related sessions at the T+L Conference, take a look at NSBA’s own foray into digital publishing and view the T+L online conference brochure.
How has your school district used online textbooks or digital course materials to save money or to engage students in the learning process?
