Andrea MyersAndrea Myers

Defined As…Defined As…

Core textbooks that are exact Core textbooks that are exact replicas of printed versions that replicas of printed versions that

offer various interactive functions.offer various interactive functions.

HistoryHistory

Developed by the South Korean Ministry of Education and enacted in 2007 in schools

4 Types of digital/online 4 Types of digital/online textbookstextbooks

o Digital Textbook Digital Textbook cardscards

o KindleKindle

o e textbooks e textbooks

o FlexbookFlexbook

How digital textbook cards workHow digital textbook cards work

• Purchase a Digital Textbook Card for the title you need.

2. Go to the computer where you intend to use the Digital Textbook, and go online to www.DigitalTextbooks.net, register, and enter the card and receipt numbers.

3. Download the Digital Textbook.

Problems?Problems?• Most can only allow 1 download to 1 Most can only allow 1 download to 1

computer.computer.

• Have a minimum of 12 months from Have a minimum of 12 months from activation until Digital Textbook expires (for activation until Digital Textbook expires (for most textbook companies)most textbook companies)

• Take up much space on computer!Take up much space on computer!

• Can’t re-sellCan’t re-sell

By Amazon.com

How How KindleKindle Works Works

Buy a kindle for about $350, and download Buy a kindle for about $350, and download up to 200 books.up to 200 books.

It’s wireless, and books are delivered It’s wireless, and books are delivered wirelessly in less than one minute!wirelessly in less than one minute!

Problem?Problem?

It’s still in the beginning stages of It’s still in the beginning stages of allowing textbooks to be allowing textbooks to be

downloaded. By the next version, downloaded. By the next version, students should be able to use it for students should be able to use it for

reading textbook material.reading textbook material.

How How e Textbookse Textbooks work… work…

Problems?Problems?

1. You cannot return the book at the end of the semester for cash or re-sell it.

2. You only have access to the book for 180 days because you are really buying only a subscription to the book. 

3. Expensive

Types of online textbooksTypes of online textbooks

#1 Zinio#1 Zinio

#2 iChapters#2 iChapters

#3 Course Smart#3 Course Smart

#4 eCampus.com#4 eCampus.com

#5 McGraw-Hill eBookstore#5 McGraw-Hill eBookstore

-Flexbook is a free and open source textbook platform where you can build and edit collaborative textbooks

-Flexbook allows teachers to use different modules that may suit a specific learner’s learning style, region, language, or level of skill, while adhering to the local education standards.

-Students can access their course material online, or the textbook can be printed.

Biology Flexbook

ChallengesChallenges

• Keeping content Keeping content contextualized to contextualized to local, regional local, regional requirements as well requirements as well as curriculum as curriculum standards globally.standards globally.

• Getting educators Getting educators interested in this type interested in this type of system.of system.

With all of these types of textbooks:

Do the research, and understand the facts to make sure you are getting what you want, for

how long you want it, for the lowest price possible!

Take Home Message!Take Home Message!

All of these digital/online textbooks are pretty new and need to become fine-tuned, but once they are, they will be the new generation of textbooks!

Even though there are flaws right now, there are major

AffordabilityAffordability

AccessibilityAccessibility

PrintabilityPrintability

SustainabilitySustainability

AffordabilityAffordability

In order to be a solution to high In order to be a solution to high costs, digital/online textbooks costs, digital/online textbooks must cost less than traditional must cost less than traditional

books. books.

AccessibilityAccessibility

Students are able to: Students are able to:

1.1. access reading material fastaccess reading material fast

2.2. electronically search & highlight electronically search & highlight

3.3. copy and paste sections for copy and paste sections for future use future use

PrintabilityPrintability

Printing makes digital Printing makes digital textbooks practical for textbooks practical for

students with different reading students with different reading and learning styles.and learning styles.  

A Health BenefitA Health Benefit

Students no longer Students no longer have to carry have to carry around heavy around heavy

textbooks in their textbooks in their backpacks!backpacks!

An Alternative for Public An Alternative for Public SchoolsSchools

Supply both printed and digital text:

- Students could use regular textbooks at school.

- Students could use e textbooks at home.

The Inevitable Trend…The Inevitable Trend…

Print to electronic text.Print to electronic text.

“Pretty soon we’ll all have to hop on board.”

Thanks!Thanks!