Developmental Directions for a ‘Religion’ Digital Textbook

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to suggest developmental directions for a ‘Religion’ digital textbook being developed for 2015, in accordance with the policy “SMART Education” of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Korea, as published on June 29, 2011. I propose two developmental directions. Above all, I suggest establishing a creative paradigm that maximizes the educational effectiveness of a Religion digital textbook. This paradigm would one of digital storytelling. Digital storytelling is a good method that maximizes the educational effectiveness and functions of such a textbook by creatively combining a digital-based paradigm with storytelling-based technology. Next I suggest developmental directions for a Religion digital textbook based on such a creative paradigm that uses digital storytelling. I propose a total of nine developmental directions consisting of four dimensions: Basic Principle, Contents and Structure, Functions and Technology, and Teaching and Learning. When developing a digital textbook, the last three of these dimensions are considered in terms of synthesis and integration because they work in reciprocal ways. Above all the Basic Principle has to do with addressing the need for a digital textbook that focuses on the student’s growth as a whole person. This first direction is the underlying principle and purpose that support the other eight directions. The dimension of Contents and Structure includes the next four directions: direction 2) realizing phasing in an extension of knowledge; 3) providing a universal design for learning; 4) developing an open textbook that implements participation-interactivity-collaboration-creating a shared knowledge; and 5) developing edutainment [interactive] storytelling contents. The dimension of Functions and Technology consists of three directions: 6) applying the characteristics of Web 2.0; 7) offering useful and user-friendly functions; and 8) eliminating elements that hinder the flow and the motivation of students. The direction of the dimension of Teaching and Learning involves 9) developing an effective model for teaching and learning in a Religion digital textbook.