Educational Meaning of AI Digital Textbooks: Focusing on Case Studies on AI Courseware

Purpose: By exploring the educational and technological elements of AI digital textbooks that are different from existing book-type textbooks, we analyzed the uniqueness of teaching and learning aspects and examined the educational significance of AI digital textbooks in terms of their specific use and recognition. Methods: The researchers explored the characteristics of AI digital textbooks as AI courseware and conducted exploratory case studies by collecting teaching and learning cases utilizing AI courseware. We selected cases that specifically revealed AI courseware teaching and learning plans and implementation processes and analyzed them in terms of teaching and learning goals setting, preparation, activities, and reflection processes. Results: First, teachers select AI digital textbooks considering the curriculum and design their own curriculum that complements educational situations that AI digital textbooks cannot solve. Second, teachers share the use of AI digital textbooks with colleagues and students, and demonstrate teacher agency by reflecting on the AI digital textbook utilization curriculum considering the characteristics of the school and learners. Conclusion: First, the use of AI digital textbooks can provide realistic content for the curriculum, efficiently perform curriculum methods and student evaluations, and more directly pursue the goals of the curriculum and student capabilities. Second, AI digital textbooks allow teachers to play a role in promoting the curriculum and digital functions, attitudes, and capabilities of their colleagues and students. On the other hand, AI digital textbooks require somewhat more tasks and effort from teachers than before they were introduced.