AI Digital Textbooks to be Introduced in 2025: Is Successful Implementation Possible?

 In June, the Ministry of Education announced the "AI Digital Textbook Implementation Plan." Unlike traditional paper textbooks, AI digital textbooks are designed for use on digital devices such as tablets or laptops. They use AI to analyze concepts and questions that students find challenging and provide personalized learning experiences. These digital textbooks will include a wealth of educational resources such as glossaries, multimedia materials, immersive content, assessment questions, and supplementary advanced learning materials. They will also offer learning support and management functions and be able to connect with external resources like EduNet and T-Clear.

 There are stark differences among countries in how they have integrated digital devices into their curricula. For example, Sweden, which began introducing digital textbooks in kindergartens in 2017, completely halted digital learning for children under the age of six in 2023 due to concerns such as declining literacy rates among students. The Swedish government is now returning to traditional paper-based education by allocating a budget of 82.3 billion won for the purchase of printed textbooks. Similarly, France and the Netherlands have also banned the use of smartphones in schools, and Canada has announced plans to expand cursive writing lessons. In contrast, countries like Germany, Poland, and Singapore are actively using digital devices in education by providing laptops to elementary school students with public funding. An official from the Ministry of Education stated, "The United States is developing and using digital textbooks at the federal level, while Australia is managing students' learning histories through educational platforms to integrate them into lessons." This highlights the inevitability of introducing AI digital textbooks in Korea.

Digital Textbooks Enhance Learning Effectiveness

By Kim Ha-neul

 The introduction of digital textbooks will significantly enhance students' learning effectiveness by providing a variety of learning tools. Digital textbooks include various multimedia materials such as videos, animations, and interactive quizzes, in addition to traditional text. This integration makes learning more engaging and can increase students' focus. Unlike paper textbooks, digital textbooks can present content in dynamic ways, enhancing comprehension. They also allow students to review and reinforce their learning through quizzes and tests that provide real-time feedback. Additionally, digital textbooks can offer supplementary explanations or problems for areas where understanding is lacking, providing a personalized learning experience tailored to each student's level and pace. Teachers can monitor students' learning progress in real time and provide feedback as needed.

 Furthermore, digital textbooks have the advantage of enabling learning anytime and anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection. Storing digital textbooks on tablets or laptops allows multiple books to be kept on a single device, making it possible to learn while on the go. This enables students to study freely even outside of school. Digital textbooks become essential tools, especially in situations requiring remote learning, such as during a pandemic. Students can access class materials and continue their learning from home.

 The greatest advantage of adopting digital textbooks is environmental protection. By reducing the use of paper textbooks, we can conserve trees and resources needed for paper production. Additionally, utilizing digital textbooks can help reduce carbon emissions from printing and logistics processes, contributing to environmental protection. Despite the initial investment in digital devices and software, costs are reduced over the long term because one digital device can be used repeatedly, lowering printing and logistics expenses.

 In Korea, the introduction of digital textbooks is expected to contribute to bridging the information gap between socio-economic groups by allowing low-income individuals with lower digital skills to access IT devices. Both teachers and students are largely positive about this implementation. According to the 2020 report by the Korea Education and Research Information Service, titled "Analysis of the Current Status of Digital Textbooks and Future Implementation Plans," 81.1% of students supported the use of digital textbooks. Similarly, 76.5% of teachers had a positive response. For these reasons, many believe that AI digital textbooks should be actively introduced in both public and private schools in Korea.

AI Digital Textbooks Impede Children's Cognitive Development 

By Kim Yeo-jin

Smart devices can negatively impact cognitive development in children and adolescents and may lead to various side effects. In fact, some countries are reintroducing paper textbooks and analog educational methods. Over the past decade, as the use of smart devices has become widespread, many neuroscientists, psychiatrists, and education experts have uncovered and consistently highlighted the serious adverse effects associated with smart device usage. There are concerns that using these devices in schools, where students usually spend more than half of their day, could have a significantly negative impact on their health. 

 In contrast to smart devices, using paper textbooks can help reduce eye strain. This not only aids in improving concentration but also helps prevent vision problems such as deteriorating eyesight and dry eyes. Introducing digital textbooks could lead to increased eye strain from prolonged screen exposure and reduced physical activity due to extended periods of sitting. These factors could negatively impact overall health.

 The Ministry of Education announced its plan to combine book-type and AI digital textbooks by 2028. On July 23, 2024, the National Assembly Education Committee and the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union held a debate on the theme of 'Are AI digital textbooks okay as they are?' at the National Assembly Hall. Although the cost of purchasing AI digital textbooks was a point of contention at this debate, there was insufficient discussion on who would be responsible for paying for digital textbooks or devices. Considering that the purchase cost of AI textbooks is up to 10 times higher than that of existing textbooks, it is essential to establish specific criteria addressing this issue.

 On May 28, a petition opposing the introduction of digital textbooks in Korea was posted on the national petition board website. By June 27, the petition, which requests consideration of international examples where digital device use is minimized in classrooms, had garnered over 50,000 signatures. Additionally, there are concerns that AI digital textbooks designed for special education may not be suitable for children with disabilities, as these students might struggle to adapt to such technologies.

 For these reasons, using existing paper textbooks rather than switching to digital ones should be thoroughly reconsidered.