Digital Textbooks in K-12 Schools
October 2013
Author: Doug Wright
Modern classrooms are often equipped with several pieces of technology, including computers, televisions, and whiteboards. Some classrooms also contain portable electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablet computers, and e-book readers. These devices can accommodate digital textbooks, and may be capable of augmenting or replacing paper textbooks. A digital textbook is “an interactive set of learning content and tools accessed via a laptop, tablet, or other advanced device.” Digital textbooks can incorporate various forms of digital content, such as videos, photos, and electronic simulations. This brief looks at digital textbooks in Tennessee in the context of the state’s textbook adoption process and considers other states’ policies concerning digital textbooks.