New textbook technology being utilized in Idaho | Meridian, Eagle, Kuna, Star | Idaho Statesman
"The 43rd Star: Idaho and Its People," adopted by the Idaho State Department of Education for use at the fourth grade level through 2016, is an innovative textbook that brings interactive learning to a new level. Idaho is the first state in the nation to adopt this new concept.
CyberVision Text in Franklin, Tenn., recently developed and produced this new type interactive textbook, called an Interactive Electronic Textbook. It gives students a number of options when utilizing the materials. The pages on the students’ computers have the appearance of pages in a print textbook. However, the electronic textbook is a “green” textbook in that it uses no paper and weighs ounces versus pounds for printed textbooks.
The book also has an audio component that can be clicked on and professional readers narrate the book to students, allowing them to follow along and further develop their reading skills. Low-vision students can increase the print and photograph sizes to fit individual visual acuity, thereby using the exact same materials as others in the classroom.
"This is something that has never been done on this level in regards to textbooks," said CVT President David A. Bice. "Now, instead of students being given passive reading assignments and using a textbook in a traditional sense, they now have the added element of interacting with the textbook and receiving immediate feedback and results."
While traditional textbooks have plenty of color and other design features, the electronic textbook engages students with music, spoken words, animated graphics and a chapter review at the end of each chapter. The 10-question reviews at the end of each chapter are automatically graded and even refer students to the sections of the book to find the correct answer should they incorrectly answer the question twice. Should a student want to look for a specific person or item, the textbook has a complete search capability.
Many of the features in the textbook have animated graphics that show how the State of Idaho was formed and carved out of other territories; shows the migration of settlers on an interactive map that traces the route of settlers; and has other features that engage students deeply into the learning process. Students are empowered to initiate active maps, such as, moving along the Oregon Trail.
Time lines are interactive and give an overview of each chapter’s content at the student’s instigation. One aspect of the book actually teaches students the Idaho State Song, "Here We Have Idaho," by clicking on it and enabling music and a professional singer to sing the words along with students.
Students can use the textbook compact disc with any computer, and teachers can utilize the program along with the students in the classroom on a SmartBoard or other projector. The animation plays similar to a video game, meaning students can access the information easily and quickly. A teacher's guide is available to assist teachers, and a user's guide is placed at the front of each electronic textbook disc. Loading the books into computers is simple and takes just one or two steps.
"We have all become a much more visual and technological society, but that is especially true for today’s students," Bice said. "The traditional way of using textbooks does not appeal to students as much as back when I was in school. That's why we've developed this new technology to engage those students who have grown up in the video game and computer age. We really believe that this is the wave of the future and will help change the way students learn. Content is not compromised, but enhanced."
For more information about the programs being offered, both in print and electronic format, or for a sample of the interactive features of the book, contact CyberVision Text at 1-800-568-1611 or visit the company's website at www.cybervisiontext.com
Comments
Post a Comment