Comments on: Discussing the future of the textbook. Add your voice! http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2012/03/18/discussing-the-future-of-the-textbook-add-your-voice/ by Joyce Valenza Sat, 25 May 2013 05:01:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Discussing the future of the textbook. Add your voice! « NeverEndingSearch « Bibliolearn http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2012/03/18/discussing-the-future-of-the-textbook-add-your-voice/#comment-155605 Discussing the future of the textbook. Add your voice! « NeverEndingSearch « Bibliolearn Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:43:23 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/?p=6677#comment-155605 [...] Via blogs.slj.com Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...] [...] Via blogs.slj.com Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]

]]> By: Camilla Elliott http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2012/03/18/discussing-the-future-of-the-textbook-add-your-voice/#comment-153355 Camilla Elliott Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:15:59 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/?p=6677#comment-153355 The problem that I am seeing arise within the textbook publishing industry is that publishers are issuing a code to provide teachers with 12 months access to their online textbook and associated resources. This code locks students into a walled garden within the publisher's website. While flexibility is possible, I lament at the narrow range of resources being used in this manner when the wealth of primary source material available as Open Education Resources (OER) is growing daily. OER are being aimed at third world countries that cannot afford $60-$70 per student for access to an online textbook. These students could potentially end up with access to a better range of resources. Furthermore, there is so much to be learnt by students assembling their own resources, or choosing from a selection according to their needs. Students are quickly becoming active learners, involved in the creation of their own learning tools. The more I see learning resources channeled into corporate products--- I despair. Yes, we have to assemble the resources. Yes, it is more labour intensive than opting for a ready made text book. Maybe this is why I prefer homemade tomato soup rather than soup in a can! All the best with that knee Joyce and thanks for prompting me to comment. Camilla The problem that I am seeing arise within the textbook publishing industry is that publishers are issuing a code to provide teachers with 12 months access to their online textbook and associated resources. This code locks students into a walled garden within the publisher’s website. While flexibility is possible, I lament at the narrow range of resources being used in this manner when the wealth of primary source material available as Open Education Resources (OER) is growing daily.

OER are being aimed at third world countries that cannot afford $60-$70 per student for access to an online textbook. These students could potentially end up with access to a better range of resources. Furthermore, there is so much to be learnt by students assembling their own resources, or choosing from a selection according to their needs. Students are quickly becoming active learners, involved in the creation of their own learning tools. The more I see learning resources channeled into corporate products— I despair.

Yes, we have to assemble the resources. Yes, it is more labour intensive than opting for a ready made text book. Maybe this is why I prefer homemade tomato soup rather than soup in a can!

All the best with that knee Joyce and thanks for prompting me to comment.
Camilla

]]> By: Jennifer Wagner http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2012/03/18/discussing-the-future-of-the-textbook-add-your-voice/#comment-153044 Jennifer Wagner Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:38:34 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/?p=6677#comment-153044 I am all for advancement for new ideas and not sitting contently on our "traditional way of doing things" but I do not believe that textbooks need to be totally dismissed. I feel that there is a belief that "new textbooks" will be the savior for our students -- when in fact, a new textbook will just become another source for students to quickly skim for information in order to answer the question the teacher has asked....rather than dig deeply to find out more. I do not believe textbook creation (whether new or paper) is the problem. I believe the issue we need to address is that many students want quick answers and many teachers are asking questions that eliminate the need to think more deeply. I, myself, love research.....and have kept MANY of my college papers where I spent HOURS in the library -- surrounded by books, wandering often into the micro-fiche for information, and losing myself in thought and discovery. Not always to get the A -- but often because I loved what I was learning. I hope you will bring up in the conversation that perhaps beyondthetextbook also needs to include beyondtheeasyanswer. Until we start engaging our students beyond just answering the question -- to, instead -- discovering the possibilities and much much more -- anything that provides just a quick response will continue to be the norm. Just my thoughts Jen I am all for advancement for new ideas and not sitting contently on our “traditional way of doing things” but I do not believe that textbooks need to be totally dismissed.

I feel that there is a belief that “new textbooks” will be the savior for our students — when in fact, a new textbook will just become another source for students to quickly skim for information in order to answer the question the teacher has asked….rather than dig deeply to find out more.

I do not believe textbook creation (whether new or paper) is the problem. I believe the issue we need to address is that many students want quick answers and many teachers are asking questions that eliminate the need to think more deeply.

I, myself, love research…..and have kept MANY of my college papers where I spent HOURS in the library — surrounded by books, wandering often into the micro-fiche for information, and losing myself in thought and discovery. Not always to get the A — but often because I loved what I was learning.

I hope you will bring up in the conversation that perhaps beyondthetextbook also needs to include beyondtheeasyanswer.

Until we start engaging our students beyond just answering the question — to, instead — discovering the possibilities and much much more — anything that provides just a quick response will continue to be the norm.

Just my thoughts
Jen

]]> By: Patty McClune http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2012/03/18/discussing-the-future-of-the-textbook-add-your-voice/#comment-152967 Patty McClune Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:10:50 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/?p=6677#comment-152967 An advantage to online textbooks is the ability to curate a collection of articles on the same topic at various reading levels. The opportunity to differentiate content learning is huge. An advantage to online textbooks is the ability to curate a collection of articles on the same topic at various reading levels. The opportunity to differentiate content learning is huge.

]]> By: Peg Gillard http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2012/03/18/discussing-the-future-of-the-textbook-add-your-voice/#comment-152940 Peg Gillard Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:07:06 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/?p=6677#comment-152940 I love the new iBook capability of writing your own textbook with embedded media. Students could help design and decide on what to include. Forever unfolding and growing, evolving into a rich accumulation of the growth of a teacher and subject. I love the new iBook capability of writing your own textbook with embedded media. Students could help design and decide on what to include. Forever unfolding and growing, evolving into a rich accumulation of the growth of a teacher and subject.

]]> By: Karen Hornberger http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2012/03/18/discussing-the-future-of-the-textbook-add-your-voice/#comment-152871 Karen Hornberger Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:54:39 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/?p=6677#comment-152871 I love your article Joyce and am so honored that I can go down to the forum with you! I am brainstorming today in order to offer quality ideas to the forum. I posted my ideas here: http://www.palisadessd.org/6063423912582/blog/browse.asp?a=398&bmdrn=2000&bcob=0&c=55781# I would say see you bright and early - but it will be dark and early!!! Early being the keyword - keep me awake as I drive!!! I love your article Joyce and am so honored that I can go down to the forum with you! I am brainstorming today in order to offer quality ideas to the forum.

I posted my ideas here: http://www.palisadessd.org/6063423912582/blog/browse.asp?a=398&bmdrn=2000&bcob=0&c=55781#

I would say see you bright and early – but it will be dark and early!!! Early being the keyword – keep me awake as I drive!!!

]]>