These days, in an information-oriented society, there is a strong need to complement or gradually replace the paper-based education with smart and digital education to prepare learners to engage in learning in a more efficient and effective way. A digital textbook is a major component of technology-based education reform. When a digital textbook is introduced to secondary schools, a new teaching method should be introduced as well.
While there have been a number of research studies about digital textbooks, there were few studies that examined the teachers'' perception of digital textbooks.
The main purpose of this study is to analyze secondary school English teachers'' perception and understanding of English Digital Textbook and to suggest better ways to develop and use English Digital Textbook.
This study has five objectives: (1) to examine the level of awareness of middle and high school teachers toward digital textbook; (2) to examine the level of awareness of these teachers toward the necessity of the English digial textbook; (3) to identify the positive effects of digial textbook; (4) to identify the negative effects; (4) to identify the demands imposed on these teachers and suggestions on the more effective ways of using digital textbook.
A survey was conducted of 80 middle and high school English teachers in Busan and Gyeongnam, The questionnaire consisted of 31 questions and the data was analyzed with the X²-test, t-test, and frequency analysis, using the statistical software, SPSS 15.0. And an in-depth interview was conducted of 10 middle and high school English teachers.
The results of the study were as follows: (1) The teachers were well aware of a digital textbook; however most teachers haven''t used it before. (2) Many teachers haven''t used the English E-textbook, either and haven''t been satisfied with it, However, unexpectedly, they responded that it is necessary to develop a English Digital Textbook. (3) The teachers agreed that an English digital textbook will positively affect students'' learning motivation, attitude and academic achievement. And they also reported that it would help students to develop their listening skill. (4) The teachers, at the same time, were worried that a digital textbook will affect their class and students negatively. They also felt that it would be burdensome to prepare classes and to manage facilities. Moreover, the teachers were concerned of an unexpected direction of their classes. Another concern was the students'' easy accessability to unhealthy information and potential health problems. The study hence indicates that the government and secondary schools should thoroughly consider the positive and negative aspects of digital education before they introduce a digital education system to secondary schools.