The benefits of online textbooks is that the students will not have to carry heavy textbooks back in forth. Students could have all of their textbooks on their laptop, iPad, or any other tablet. Additionally, textbook companies can include online resources and manipulatives along the text, so students could explore on their own. Students can easily look up unknown words or extra help right away if their textbook is digital.
However, there are also cons to having an online textbook. The access to the textbook may not be fair to some students. Some students could possibly only have one computer in a household and might have to wait to use it. Some students may also have difficulties using it if not taught properly. Additionally, will the student be able to use their online textbook in class? If the student is allowed to, who is to say the student is not looking at other things during class. If the student is not allowed to, will this help the student if the student is struggling? Some students might also just prefer to have a textbook, since they are use to it.
However, there are also cons to having an online textbook. The access to the textbook may not be fair to some students. Some students could possibly only have one computer in a household and might have to wait to use it. Some students may also have difficulties using it if not taught properly. Additionally, will the student be able to use their online textbook in class? If the student is allowed to, who is to say the student is not looking at other things during class. If the student is not allowed to, will this help the student if the student is struggling? Some students might also just prefer to have a textbook, since they are use to it.
Overall, students should be given a choice to their preference and access to the textbook. Each student should be given an opportunity to choose which method will best help specifically to their needs. Each student is different and some might benefit from having an online textbook, while other might not, so instead of changing all the textbooks to being only accessible online the students should choose.
You point out several valid pros and cons to online textbooks. I am personally not a fan of online textbooks, but perhaps that could be because I have only used an online textbook once. I just have a few more things I would like to add to your post. Another con is that with online textbooks, students can easily use short cuts such as Ctrl F to search for key words instead of reading the entire chapter. Also, what if the internet is down at a student’s house? How will they be able to access their textbook? What if a student is unable to open an attachment from the online text book or what if the image does not load? Especially in you content area, math, several of times students have to refer to a graph or chart, but if the image does not load, the students will not be able to complete their homework. Even though technology is extremely advanced, there are still so many different things that can go wrong. Also, physical textbooks, even though many may be outdated, seem to be more profitable for schools because they can be reused. I am not sure how online textbooks work. I do not know if they pay yearly, or they create a contract, but I would assume that the online textbooks would probably be more costly. Overall, thank you for sharing! Well done!
ReplyDeleteI wrote a blog about online books as well. Another advantage you may want to think about is that will online textbooks students avoid damage fees to paper books. I do however agree that students will have to be monitored while using them to make sure they are not on other websites and this may be a bit tedious. All in all I agree when you say that they should be given a choice to use them.
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