The Indian education system is witnessing a profound transformation, with recent technical upgrades in textbooks leading the charge. As digital technology becomes increasingly integral to learning, traditional textbooks are evolving to meet the needs of modern students.

One of the most significant developments is the integration of QR codes, which allow students to access supplementary digital content with a simple scan.

Features like augmented reality, adaptive learning, and gamification are also being incorporated, making textbooks more immersive and personalised.

In January, the Indian government directed schools and higher education institutions to provide digital study material in Indian languages for all courses within the next three years.

Various digital education initiatives like ePathshala, DIKSHA, and PMeVidya have been implemented to make educational resources available through multiple digital platforms.

These changes, driven by the integration of digital technology, the proliferation of free online educational resources, and policy changes such as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, are reshaping the educational landscape in India, providing students with a more dynamic, accessible, engaging and a personalised learning experience.

For publishers, this evolution presents both challenges and opportunities as they adapt to a rapidly digitising world.

Speaking to Indiatoday.in, Sachin Tripathy, Senior Manager of Marketing at S Chand Publishing Limited, shared insights into how these developments are reshaping the industry.

QR CODES IN TEXTBOOKS

One of the most notable changes in Indian textbooks is the integration of QR codes, a process initiated by the government in 2018 and part of the larger digital infrastructure called DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing), which provides tech-based solutions for teachers and students, promoting a blended learning approach.

This initiative, part of the larger ‘Energized Textbooks’ programme, had aimed to launch around 200 million textbooks embedded with QR codes linked to digital content by 2019-2020.

The QR codes link to a variety of educational materials, including video lessons, solved question papers, and additional information on specific subjects, thereby enriching the traditional textbook experience and enabling students to explore topics in greater depth and at their own pace.

Sachin Tripathy highlights the progress made in this area: “At S Chand, we have successfully incorporated QR codes into approximately 60% of our K-12 textbooks, surpassing our initial projections. Industry-wide, we estimate that about 50% of textbooks now feature QR codes.”

The process of integrating QR codes involves several steps with meticulous planning and execution: curating digital content for each section, generating and testing QR codes, placing them within the textbook layout, ensuring robust backend infrastructure to handle increased digital traffic, and training authors and editorial teams on effective integration of print and digital content, Tripathy explains.

“We have found that this blended approach has significantly enhanced student engagement, with our internal surveys showing a 40% increase in the use of supplementary digital materials when accessed via QR codes,” Tripathy notes.

Meghalaya announced the decision to incorporate QR codes in textbooks in July and other states are likely to follow soon. The initiative is expected to expand further, with plans to incorporate QR codes in textbooks across different grades and subjects.

IMPACT OF FREE DIGITAL CONTENT

The rise of free e-books and educational videos on platforms like YouTube has had a profound impact on the publishing industry.

“Our data indicates a decline of about 20-25% in traditional textbook sales over the past five years, a trend dramatically accelerated during the pandemic,” Sachin Tripathy says.

In 2020-21, traditional textbook sales plummeted by 30-35% as schools and colleges shifted to online learning.

Textbooks are incorporating more interactive elements, such as animations, simulations, and videos, to make learning more engaging and immersive. These interactive features are often accessible through the QR codes or directly integrated into the e-book versions.

Elements of gamification, such as quizzes, puzzles, and challenges, are being included in textbooks to help reinforce concepts through interactive and competitive activities.

Some textbooks are experimenting with Augmented Reality (AR) technology, where students can scan specific pages or images using a mobile app to see 3D models or interactive content related to the subject matter.

Many textbooks are now accessible through cloud-based platforms, allowing students to access their learning materials from any device with an internet connection.

“To adapt to this shifting landscape post COVID-19, we are focusing on creating blended learning solutions that combine print and digital resources, which has shown a 25% higher adoption rate compared to print-only offerings,” Tripathy says.

The company is also developing interactive e-books and learning management systems on platforms like Test Coach. Partnerships with edtech companies have expanded S Chand’s digital content library by 30% over the past two years.

Additionally, investing in data analytics helps them understand student learning patterns and customise content accordingly.

NEP 2020 IMPACT

The NEP 2020 is another catalyst for change in the publishing industry. “Key impacts include increased demand for multilingual content, with a 25% rise in regional language textbook requests, particularly in Hindi, Tamil, and Bengali,” Tripathy explains.

There is also a greater emphasis on skill-based and experiential learning materials, leading to a 40% increase in the development of activity-based learning resources. The focus on a modern curriculum has driven a 50% increase in NEP 2020-based books, he says.

The integration of Indian knowledge systems into textbooks necessitates extensive research and collaboration with subject matter experts. This aligns with the NEP 2020’s goal of promoting a holistic and inclusive education system.

CURRICULUM AND TEXTBOOK UPDATE PROCESS

Updating curriculum-based textbooks is a comprehensive process that typically spans six to twelve months. It begins with the notification of curriculum changes by education boards like CBSE, ICSE, and UGC.

This is followed by the formation of subject expert committees with eight to 10 members per subject, and the development of new content outlines, which undergo multiple rounds of review.

“Author selection and manuscript development can take three to six months for a single textbook,” Sachin Tripathy says. Peer review and editing involve at least two to three external reviewers per book. The design and production phase, including layout, illustrations, and printing, takes about one month.

Throughout this process, close communication with educational boards, subject experts, and teachers ensures alignment with the latest pedagogical approaches and educational standards.

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The recent changes in Indian textbooks, driven by digital integration, free online content, and policy reforms, are reshaping the publishing industry, bringing up both challenges and opportunities.

As the industry adapts to these shifts, the focus remains on enhancing student engagement, providing blended learning solutions, and meeting the evolving demands of the educational landscape.