The Future of Textbooks Teachings

As cutting-edge technology has impacted the human race in many ways, the e-textbooks will certainly be legendary change when it comes to classroom teachings. Just imagine going to class with nothing accept for your iPads and in it, contains a few volumes of textbooks and notes for your daily lectures and tutorials, this is indeed the learning experience of the future. Carbonara (2005), once said that learning should not be in any permanent forms but instead altered to greater capacity. This is precisely true, when technology is changing all the time and the emergence of social media is making a scene at the moment, no wonder people are leaving their traditional medium and turning to the internet for mostly everything these days. Carbonara (2005) also added that, once a greater capacity has been developed, we shall leverage on it to make our learning experience greater.

                      Figure 1: E-Textbook

      Figure 2: E-Textbook on iPad

The e-textbook is literally a futuristic replacement for the printed textbook copy. Its innovative features will definitely make learning an exciting process for many. As compared to printed textbooks, the frequent updates on your e-textbook will save you a lot on buying a new edition printed textbook that cost hundreds of Ringgit. The insertion of video links and audio files that would lead you to youtube and iTunes will generate better understanding of a topic learned. And what’s more fascinating, is that, the feature of an active engagement tool which allows students to communicate not only with their peers but people around the world that has the same e-textbook via the internet. This is by far a rare encounter where education does not only limit itself in the classroom but a global classroom where students can make one-on-one exchanges with other students from around the world that are taking the same subject. In theory, the e-textbook is been supported by Rogers Theory on Compatibility. In Rogers (2003) theory, it explains that compatibility in the technological e-textbook transformation from the printed copy is that the changed has seen to be consistent with the existing values, past experiences and needs of potential adopters. Simply put, the e-textbook is a remake of the printed copy with futuristic features added to embrace a new learning experience while maintaining its core modules and content so that it will be user friendly for people who want a change.      

References

Carbonara, D, D., (2005). Technology Literacy Applications in the Learning Environments. PA: Idea Group Inc.

Sahin, I., (2006). Detailed Review of Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory And Educational Technology-Related Studies Based on Rogers’ Theory. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. April 2006: Vol.5, Iss.2.