Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2011/07/05/south_korea_kids_go_digital/

South Korea to throw away schoolbooks by 2015

Teachers to be given 'digital training'

By Natalie Apostolou

Posted in Networks, 5th July 2011 01:00 GMT

The Korean government plans to digitise all school textbooks by 2015, and have students of all ages access "education content" via smartphones, tablet PCs and smart televisions.

The Korean Education Ministry has set the bold timetable to accelerate "smart learning", it announced last week.

The ministry plans to digitise all subjects for elementary school students by 2014, and all subjects for middle and high school students by 2015.

In addition to the content of paper textbooks, supplementary materials and two-way study methods will be included in the digital textbooks.

The government will increase online classes in 2013 for three years to allow for distance learning for students in remote areas and those who are ill, unwell, or otherwise unable to travel.

Using IPTV, the ministry is also encouraging students to also take a "University-Level Program", where high school students can take college-level courses that include foreign language study.

Around 25 per cent of teachers are set to receive dedicated "digital" training in how handle devices for the "smart education" programme.

The ministry also said it plans to hold nationwide academic tests online. ®