Are all students going to be using digital texts in the future? I think so. It seems to be a waste of time to go from print texts to online resources or software on computers that is designed to go with textbooks. We aren’t ready for this change yet, because all students do not have the digital devices they need, few traditional texts have been “translated” and updated to eformat, and even though teachers can create their own texts with the easy-to-use iBook Author and other applications, only the highly motivated will attempt it. Some of us remember the time back in the early 1980s when it was thought that teachers could create their own software. Apple, for example, developed an authoring system called Apple Super Pilot with which the “motivated” created exciting programs for their students. As software became more sophisticated, teacher programs couldn’t compete with what was coming out from software developers. It will probably be the same with teacher-created eTexts, with the exception that publishers may make it possible for teachers to select (purchase) parts of professionally-developed eTexts so that teachers can weave together various digital offerings into what they need for their courses.
For texts and novels to make use of the benefits of the eformat, they can’t be simply the original text that can be paged through digitally. They must be flexible for teachers and students to use, filled with connections to online resources that enhance learning, and provide for differing learning levels and styles. Although parents and school boards may want educators to rush to eTexts so that students won’t have to carry heavy backpacks, the truth is that administrators can’t just order the eTexts they want because most don’t exist. But they will. There is no doubt of that.
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