Designing a digital textbook: Things to consider

#ebookevo #wk2ebookdiscussion question (with eTextbook Teachers)...

How do you believe digital textbooks should be designed to best match learners’ needs?

Digital textbooks should be designed to meet learners’ needs, interests, and learning preferences. Learners’ needs typically are based on age, academic level, and future aspirations. Their needs might relate to curricular objectives but could also be personal or specific to the individual. Their interests are linked to their sociocultural background and should also be taken into consideration, and their learning preferences will depend more on past experiences with technology and materials in general, types of communication appropriate for the course (synchronous vs. asynchronous), and learning theories. I tend to avoid the term “learning styles” and prefer to think in terms of the engagement value that bridges content with learners.

Having said that, the content of the textbook and how it ultimately becomes published matters. Depending on the profile of the group, content might be created, curated, collected, etc. by the instructor and/or the learners themselves. The delivery of content might be static as in the case of a traditional book, or more dynamic such as a book that promotes interaction. Books might be more suitable for mobile technologies that afford quicker access to content. Much will depend on the purpose of having learners use the book. Is it just for a grade, or will it serve some future purpose?

The best way to find out how to know whether a digital textbook meets the needs of the learner…is just to ask them! Just as we might do a needs analysis when beginning a course, we might do a “needs analysis” before considering writing a textbook (and during and after as well)? The following questions come to mind:

• Would a textbook be a valuable source for achieving course objectives?
• Would a textbook be a valuable source for achieving individual objectives that differ from curricular objectives for this course?
• Should the instructor create all of the content for this textbook or should learners contribute as well?
• How would a textbook best serve learners’ needs: in print form, ebook for Kindle or iPad, published online, accessible on mobile devices, etc.?
• When would you use a textbook for this course?
• Why would a textbook be valuable for this course?
• Etc.

Now, a student just beginning a course might not have the insight to adequately address all of these questions, but to understand how a textbook meets the needs of the learner, these or similar questions need to be addressed throughout the course and continually thereafter as one plans and begins drafting such a course textbook. This ongoing feedback from learners would also help to draft future editions of the book as well.

#ebookEVO Chat response (Jan. 8, 2016)

The following questions were asked yesterday via #ebookEVO chat...

Q1: What current problems or limits do you encounter teaching with your textbook?

I do not use one textbook when teaching, so I cannot really comment on this.  If there was a particular textbook, I would work hard not to use it as the "syllabus".  So, my goal is to begin a textbook with the realization that it will not be used as the syllabus for any particular course.

Q2: Why should teachers consider creating digital textbooks for their learners?

 As mobile learning become more ubiquitous, digital textbooks become a logical transition from the physical textbook.  Also, the term digital textbook should not be limited to a fixed artifact...for instance, a wiki could be used to host a digital textbook that is continually being updated.

Q3: What are possible obstacles faced when creating and publishing digital materials?

 Copyright and the degree materials are open to the general public.

Q4: What questions & fears do you have about creating a digital textbook?

 What are the best tools and processes for creating an attractive-looking textbook?

Q5: What questions & fears do you have about learning online in or a #MOOC?

 None.

Q6: What tips do you have for learning online in a 5 week session like #ebookEVO?

 Don't feel overwhelmed by the amount of content and discussions that emerge over this short, five week period.  Connect with individuals and content as time permits based on one's needs, wants, and learning preferences. Also, get involved in the conversations by offering opinions, regardless of your experience level.  Active learning over passive learning I always say.

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