As educator, you’re probably used to looking at hundreds, or perhaps thousands of books stacked in your textbook room. Some of them are outdated editions , printed prior to when state standards were established. There are books with ripped or unavailable pages. Some books are also missing over time. The K-12 school system has traditionally relied on printed books, schools are now moving to digital textbooks.

Digital textbooks are superior to traditional textbooks? What are the benefits for digital textbooks? Read this article to discover why they make the content easier to find, more interesting and even more customizable. Here are 12 reasons digital textbooks are a great choice for K-12 school, teachers, and students.

Environmentally-friendly

The University of Michigan, 30 million trees were cut down last year for printing traditional textbooks. They remove harmful carbon dioxide and also provide oxygen, which is crucial for the creation of cleaner air. When you use digital over physical textbooks, your school district can aid in creating a stronger and healthier ecosystem.

Accessible from anywhere

Printing out textbooks is a common mistake at home or in school. The online versions, however, can be accessed on computers, a Chromebook or even a phone and there’s no interruption to study.by link https://salmanzafar.me/textbooks-versus-online-learning-in-middle-schools/ website

Teachers and students are able to access eBooks anytime, anywhere on any device since publishers make available for various devices. It’s easy for schools to transition between virtual, hybrid and in-person learning , since the material is offered in several formats. Digital textbooks are also available for download for students to make use of them offline if the internet isn’t available.

Why should schools adopt digital textbooks?

Cost-effective

In comparing traditional textbooks with digital textbooks. There is a cost factor. The cost of electronic textbooks is lower for schools, especially when new editions come into play. When a textbook publisher releases a fresh edition, they must be purchased by a school or district. Modern online textbooks by contrast aren’t requiring a substantial price tag or shipping costs. They actually, Public School Review found that digital versions are 53% less expensive than printed textbooks.

Instant delivery

Digital options mean that schools no longer need to buy textbooks, then wait for them to arrive to the school. Online books are available instantly. Instead of having families or students line up to pick up their textbooks, the information can be downloaded on an electronic device. This is also an excellent solution in the event that a school chooses mid-year to add a supplemental textbook or purchase books that are targeted for particular learners.

No storage space is needed

Imagine a world in which students don’t need an area to accommodate the traditional textbooks in a stack. With digital textbooksavailable, space opens doors for learning centers or increased student movement in the classroom. Schools do not need to store new books in the classroom and spend trying to track each book.

Automatic updates

Typically, publishers update their K-12 textbooks annually. Once the new editions are created and published, schools must purchase them, then wait for them before shipping and keep the books. With digital textbooks, any changes can be made without delay and with no interruption. This means that your school’s curriculum stays relevant and aligned to current standards and news events.

Why should teachers make use of digital textbooks?

Customizable

Teachers can easily assess what their students are doing when using online textbooks. That allows for customizing assignments and lessons for pupils or groups. Font sizes for online books are also adjustable and page brightness can be altered up or down. Page colors are usually reversed, which assists some learners in understanding the text with less difficulty. Read-aloud versions of the text are also available to assist students who require this assistance.

Collaborative

Online textbooks also give teachers the chance to collaborate students, or even allow students to share with each other. They can share notes, ideas and questions directly via the digital manual or through an interactive online hub that is related to their text. Collaboration boosts learning and helps students understand content better.

Self-directed

Learners can benefit from online textbooks by giving them the chance to learn at their own speed.

Students can access hyperlinks that lead them to more reading. This could help them grasp a concept, or allow the further development of knowledge if they’re attracted to a certain topic. Students can also bookmark pages as they read them and immediately return to go over the material.

The online editions of textbooks often include audio and video hyperlinks. These can tailor the experience for students with various learning methods. Many eBooks also include quizzes and test questions based upon chapters that they’ve just completed. Students are able to use these to take responsibility for their own understanding without the assistance of an instructor.

Why are eBooks better for students?

Familiar

Students are always plugged into internet and other social networking sites. Another advantage from digital texts is their layout mirrors the way children absorb content in their daily lives. With the adoption of digital textbooks over printed textbooks, schools teach learners in the way that is most familiar to their students.

Interactive

Another of the biggest benefits online textbooks has the advantage that they’re interactive. For students from K-12, it is not possible to mark up a printed textbook, but you can have them interact the online version. Teachers no longer need to create photocopies of the book’s pages in order for students to highlight text and make annotations directly on the text. Students are also able to search for important terms and then quickly cut and paste quotes into their notes.

Portable

If course content is stored on a device students don’t need to haul heavy textbooks around in their backpack. It makes their lives simpler as they are able carry their language arts, math or social studies and other textbooks on one device.

The best choice for school districts K-12

If your school district wants to think about rethinking your technology integration think about the benefits from digital textbooks to the classroom. They are not only more affordable than conventional textbooks, they also enable you to create learning experiences that are customized. Think beyond textbooks that are printed so learners can learn wherever they are.