The Education Bazaar

Here are couple of links about how the National Science Foundation (NSF), and higher ed publishing companies, are starting to finally re-examine the role of static textbooks in a dynamic, information rich world full of “Millenial” learners.

The NSF held an invitation-only “Reconsider the Textbook” focus group last week in Washington, DC. From what I read, it sounds as though different potential models of the textbook were run up the flagpole to see if they flapped

There seems to be little doubt that the utility of textbooks is greatly minimized now, and that students no longer interact with publisher-produced, expert-vetted texts in the same way they used to.

As I’ve said before, I think that the battle lines between traditional ways of controlling, disseminating and selling information, as well as validating “expert” knowledge, and the new collaborative methods and means are rapidly being drawn.

It’s going to be a very interesting struggle. I don’t think the infamous EPIC 2015 vision of the media industry is exactly accurate, but I think there are some essential trends identified that will make this an interesting ride for the future of curriculum, as well as popular media.

I’d love to see a version of this video that looked at the future of the textbook. Hmmmm. The textbook industry seems concerned. They should be.
Read the rest of this entry »