The Case for Online Coursepacks and E-Books
By Barry W. Birnbaum
While most universities offer online courses, the need for creating support materials that go with these courses remains an area for further exploration. Most instructors use chat rooms, PowerPoint, etc., to deliver instruction. One of the areas that is sometimes overlooked is the development of online textbooks or electronic course packs that go along with the online courses.
In order for an online course to be truly digital, all aspects of it must be converted so that the student has similar experiences within this delivery system. Although some individuals feel that a traditional textbook is more appropriate, the difference in look, feel, and quality is almost the same when electronic books are adopted. Students have an option of downloading and printing the electronic materials or of just reading the material while connected to the Internet.
The selection of articles or materials for a digital textbook is an authentic, performance-based task. This experience allows for the inclusion of real-life, real-time contextual information that can be applied to students in order to assist them in choosing learning that is more reality based. These strategies are effective in any digital delivery format.
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