Does a textbook need to be in print form to be considered a textbook?

Using both textbooks and technology are seemingly useful. On a student’s desk, they should have the capability to immediately refer to their tablets for more research and then to their printed textbooks for other assignments given by their teacher. The fact of the matter is, the pair, textbooks and technology should be alongside each other, sitting next to the pens, pencils and paper.

Another question arises at the argument of textbooks and technology and that is, does a textbook need to be in print form to be considered a textbook? What about the text being in digital form? The textbook can be accessible in both forms allowing us even more mobility with our schoolwork. If paper is needed to study a particular subject or to introduce a complicated project, printing is always an option. It is actually easier to print from a subject in text already on digital form of book by simply clicking a button.

There are many reasons people feel print textbooks are better, I myself have a preference to print text. But I am not open-minded to the idea of having both. We should not exclude one, whether it be a print textbook or an iPad, without considering how well they work together. And yes, I have heard of studies of surveys taken by students showing that students prefer print. Maybe this is more about comfort and what they are used to and not about what may be best for them. We have to remember as educators, not all things students prefer or want is good for them and their education.

And it so happens that well-designed digital resources can support these more successful pedagogical practices and others – such as paring text with interactive graphics to aid conceptualization, featuring sound or video recordings or modelling solved problems to encourage metacognition – much more easily and pedagogically effectively than a paper textbook ever could. (Picardo, 2016)

Are textbooks cost effective for schools? Cost is usually the main reason textbooks are not replenished in schools. If this is so, then are iPads being seen as more cost effective than textbooks? It is not within any doubt that many people in the school systems, as well as parents point out that iPads in the classroom will be used for far more than just textbooks. I am not against the iPad being in the classroom. I thing if the schools are going to replace textbooks with technology, then at least it should be an interesting transition. (Wilson, 2012)

My main focus on textbooks being a lost art and technology becoming the main source for text is not my main complaint. I am concerned about the economic impact that a school will have by not issuing textbooks and only relying on iPads or whatever technology the classrooms are making available to students during class time and studies. By removing the textbook and implementing only iPads proves to be a huge cost for any school, not to mention the iPod, nooks, and desktop computers needed to make sure all students have access to all and any research and classroom assignments. The cost of training teachers for specific programs needed in the classroom and the apps that will be necessary is also a major consideration if you are supplying the money for this transition.

According to an article in the Washington Post (Mathews, 2012), textbooks can help students learn what is necessary to learn as long as they are a part of a curriculum designed by educators who know what works in the classrooms and what is an expected level of achievements according to the state. To an extent, I agree with this comment, but in our new technological world, we need to have the ability to gain access to the digital world and integrate more computer-based programs.

Our districts and our educators have adopted a system that seems to work for the classrooms. By adopting the common core standards for math and English, there is hope that the textbook companies will update the text so that the implementation of hard copy books and digital books are more beneficial in the classrooms. Welcome to the new digital-age-world…It’s best to just jump in with both feet forward!
  

References

Mathews, J. (2012, February 25). Why textbooks don't work and hurt schools. The Washington Post.

Picardo, J. (2016, October 23). Teaching to the text: Textbooks or Technology? Why is is not one or the other. Retrieved from http://www.josepicardo.com/education/teaching-to-the-text-textbooks-or-technology/

Wilson, L. (2012, March 6). True Cost of iPad Textbooks - Readers Respond. The Education Business Blog. Headway Strategies. Retrieved from http://www.educationbusinessblog.com/2012/03/true_cost_of_ipad_textbooks_re.html