Digital text, or e-text as they are sometimes called, are a text-based format of information meant to be read using technology. E-books, or electronic books, are e-texts that form the “digital media equivalent of a printed book” (“Digital Text in the Classroom”, n.d.). In the classroom there are many students who may benefit from these formats to read text and information. Students who cannot see the text have the option to magnify it, change the color, or increase spacing between lines. Students who may not have the ability to turn the page may have the book read out loud to them. Students who exhibit trouble decoding words can use the electronic dictionary to quickly access the definition. Student who like to highlight vocabulary words or important information during reading to help them recall information later, may use the highlighter feature to do so. Besides helping students who may have physical or learning disabilities, digital text are environmentally friendly and allow schools to cut costs in textbook orders. Many digital texts also come with media tie ins that allow students to click to watch a video or simulation of an new idea or concept covered in the book. Something that standard print textbooks cannot do. Even the government is rooting for the transition from printed text to digital text in schools across America. According to blogger Daryl Sessoms, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Federal Communications Commission chair Julius Genachowski said on Feb. 1, 2012 that schools and publishers should "switch to digital textbooks within five years to foster interactive education, save money on books, and ensure classrooms in the US use up-to-date content” (Sessoms, n.d.). In my classroom, I use digital text for novels we are reading. Students are able to obtain the books quickly and at a lower cost than the printed versions.
Like digital text, eLearning also allows for faster delivery of information at a lower cost, with a lower environmental impact. When using it in the classroom, there is more opportunity to provide students with visual information and graphics. Elearning also allows students to learn at their own pace and is flexible depending on the learner. Information may be accessed anytime and anywhere so the individual accessing it has the chance to absorb the information at a time that is right for them. In the classroom, using visual presentations in connection with discussions is one way to incorporate elearning. Elearning can also be used to encourage students to advance on their own.
Building off the idea of eLearning, open course software allows users to expand and build upon previously learned concepts at their own pace. Many institutions offer courses that are free and accessible after a simple registration. These institutions are part of the Massive Open Online Course Movement (MOOC). This site provides nine resources for free online courses.
References:
Ferriman, J. (2014 October 14). Using elearning in the classroom. LearnDash. Retrieved from http://www.learndash.com/using-elearning-in-the-classroom/
Sessoms, Daryl. (n.d.). 9 benefits of the e-books that makes them valuable classroom technology. Securedge Networks. Retrieved from http://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/9-Benefits-of-e-Books-That-Make-Them-Valuable-Classroom-Technology
Digital text in the classroom. Montgomery School System. Retrieved from http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/training/collab_cycle/online_reading_resources.pdf
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