There’s lots of hype about electronic textbooks and online learning instead of printed texts, but who knows where we are when it comes to this transition? Surely, it will happen someday. It’s inevitable that in the future students will be able to access exactly what they need in coursework from their mobile devices. But what about in the school year 2012-2013? Some teachers have written their own books, district committees are working on them, and publishing companies are trying to provide courses as soon as possible. For the most part, teachers won’t be throwing away textbooks, but instead supplementing print material with free and for-pay online resources.
Some school officials say that to use electronic materials in their schools, they have to realize a cost benefit. With the cost of mobile technologies combined with the cost of broadband, etexts, and software, will schools save money at this time? Some schools opt for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and only provide devices for those who cannot afford them. Schools in Vail, Arizona, don’t buy print text anymore; instead, they spend their money on digital technologies. This way, Vail students and teachers can access educational resources whenever needed. These include open educational resources, and shared online lessons and video. However, like BYOD, this method means that teachers must be knowledgeable, not only in their subject areas, but also in transforming their classrooms to a new type of learning.
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