
Digital resources abound online. They can be more up to date and just as accurate as a textbook. Where do we find them, and how do we curate them?
Textbooks.
People have very strong feelings about them, I've found.
When I created the website and book, Ditch That Textbook, people have been quick to share their hatred -- or their love -- of textbooks with me, complete with lots of reasons.
Printed textbooks served such an important purpose for so long. For years, information was at a premium, and textbooks filled the void. They were chock full of it — a one-stop shop for the curious student.
But textbooks are bulky, inflexible and pricey. They can be outdated when they arrive in classrooms, and they’re often outdated when schools finally adopt new ones. (You’re not surprised to hear that in a blog called “Ditch That Textbook,” are you?)
Things have changed. We don’t have a lack of places to learn new things.
Google searches and YouTube are where many of us go first to get that quick question answered. They’re often a good jumping-off point if we want to delve deep into a topic as well. But the info we find there can be inaccurate or superficial.
Open educational resources (OERs) may be one of the best options available right now.
They're also a great option for adding unique experiences to the lessons you already teach.
These resources include:
- individual reading selections
- videos
- PowerPoint presentations
- interactive digital experiences
- pre-made or customizable digital "textbooks" (if we can even call them that)
Oh, and that word “open.” That also means that it’s almost all completely free. Most paid options are only premium upgrades from free resources that are already very rich.
20+ sources of FREE digital content for your class
Smithsonian Learning Lab (learninglab.si.edu)
Smithsonian History Explorer (historyexplorer.si.edu)
National Archives (archives.gov/education)
Browse the vast collection National Archives to create lessons using primary sources. Using DocsTeach (a FREE tool) you can create and share activities using primary sources or browse from the activity library.
PBS LearningMedia (pbslearningmedia.org)
PBS has created and shared tons of media rich, engaging, digital lessons for a wide range of grade levels and subject areas. You can view all of the interactive lessons here and search by subject area or grade level. Also check out this interactive lesson for teachers that walks you through how to use these resources with your students.
Google Arts and Culture (artsandculture.google.com)
Google Arts and Culture is a massive collection of videos and images of cultural artifacts from over 2,000 museums around the world. You can explore places around the world and gather vetted resources for lessons and activities for your classroom.
Learn more: 10 things you didn’t know you could do with Google Arts and Culture
Khan Academy (khanacademy.org)
CK-12 (ck12.org)
CK-12 Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to high quality educational materials for K-12 students all over the world. We offer free high-quality, standards-aligned, open content in the STEM subjects. By providing these free resources, CK-12 is working toward educational equity for all.
CSPAN Classroom (c-span.org/classroom)
OER Commons (oercommons.org)
CommonLit (commonlit.org)
Library of Congress (loc.gov)
The Library of Congress offers reliable classroom materials to help teachers use primary sources in their classrooms. Be sure to check out the getting started with primary sources resource for teachers.
US Government Open Data Set (data.gov)
Newsela (newsela.com)
Newsela is the best way for students to master nonfiction in any subject. Each Newsela text is offered at multiple tiers, for every student, no matter their level. Students can study the same content and learn at their own pace—while teachers save time and headaches. It’s the definition of working smarter.
Tween Tribune (tweentribune.com)
Smithsonian's TweenTribune is a free website with news articles for students. Each article includes comprehension- and vocabulary-based quizzes and adjustable Lexile levels. All past articles are available and can be filtered by grade level or keyword. There are also tech-related stories and articles in Spanish.
National Geographic (nationalgeographic.org/education)
Curriki (library.curriki.org)
ReadWorks (readworks.org)
Libby (libbyapp.com)
PBS Learning Media US History Collection (pbslearningmedia.org/collection/us-history-collection)
The PBS Learning Media US History Collection enables teachers and students of U.S. History (Grades 6–12) to use media to teach and learn the topics and themes covered in most standard middle and high school U.S. history classes, and spans 16 eras of U.S. history, from Pre-Colonial America to the 21st century.
OpenStax (openstax.org)
TEACHFLIX (DitchThatTextbook.com/TEACHFLIX)
For notifications of new Ditch That Textbook content and helpful links:
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I look forward to EACH of these emails! So much valuable information! Thank you!
Love love love your emails!
Has anyone noticed that NewsELA has changed a lot as far as access? I used to use it a lot but can’t access it like I used to. I’m just curious. There are great resources here. I wish I had more time to dig into them all.
Every email is SO full of useful information! Thank you for the time and effort it must take to assemble all this information into ONE AWESOME spot!
Amazing ❤️