Digital Textbook to Debut Next Year
By Kim Rahn, Staff Reporter
Students will be able to interact with teachers regardless of time and space and study according to their ability through computers as the nation plans to adopt the digital textbook.
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development said Wednesday that it will develop this new form of medium that provides the multi-functionality of textbook, workbook, exercise book and dictionary.
The digital textbook is a study program, which operates via digital media, such as a personal computer, and through wire or wireless networks. It can go beyond conventional paper textbooks by using such features as video clips, animation and virtual reality.
``In this rapidly changing society and massive flood of information, the government needs to revise textbook contents as the occasion demands. But it is impossible to revise paper textbooks on every occasion, so we have decided to develop the digital textbook,’’ a ministry official said.
``When the digital textbook comes into use, sick children who cannot attend school will be able to study and communicate with teachers through their computers. It will also help students in low-income brackets or in rural areas have quality study materials,’’ the official said.
The digital textbook contents will be updated whenever needed. The textbook will also allow network connection to databases of organizations in society, enabling students to use much more information than just textbooks.
The government tried the system on 300 students in four elementary schools last year on an experimental basis, and students, especially those whose school records were in the middle or lower, showed great improvement.
The ministry plans to first develop the textbook for all subjects of fifth and sixth grades in elementary school, three subjects in middle school and two subjects in high school. The new study system will be adopted in 20 elementary schools in 2008 and in 100 elementary, middle and high schools nationwide in 2011.
Some 66 billion won of budget will be put in the project. The government also plans to develop study terminals compatible with other multimedia devices and make them available to students.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200703/kt2007030718001410230.htm
