1. Discovery Education
Science Techbook
Virginia Adoption
Patrick J. Engleman

2. Discovery Education
Science Techbook
• Fully digital alternative to the traditional textbook
• Not simply a digital resource or PDF version of a
text book
• Fully interactive, engaging, and enriching resource
• Student centered multimodal platform
• Integrated formative and summative assessments
• Based in best educational practices
• Built in teacher preparation

3. Discovery Education
Science Techbook
Fully digital alternative to the traditional textbook
• Lexile score based leveled text “We have delayed purchasing new
textbooks for years. The books we
• Fully reproducible expect our children to use are in
shameful condition, and some
• Multilingual passages available students cannot even bring their
books home because multiple
• Customized for Virginia classrooms share them.”
Alabama Senator Gerald Dial
• Up to date The Daily Home 1/17/12
• Cost efficient

4. Discovery Education
Science Techbook
Screen capture from Kinetic Energy Unit

5. Discovery Education
Science Techbook
Not simply a digital resource or PDF version of a text book
• Videos
• Demonstrations
• Activities
• Assessments
• Resources
Screen capture of Techbook resources

6. Discovery Education
Science Techbook
Fully interactive, engaging and enriching resource
• Students engage with
choice
• Ownership of material
leads to increased
retention and scores1
• Scaffolding knowledge
development
• Constructivist approach
• Avoids “drill and kill” Screen Capture of student assignment
1Toward a Model for Knowledge Development in Virtual Environments: Strategies for Student Ownership
N.B. Adams , International Journal of Human and Social Sciences 2:2 2007

7. Discovery Education
Science Techbook
Student centered, multimodal platform
• Hands on activities “…constructing a multi-
• Self guided videos modal representation of
an investigation was
• Interactive glossary of terms strongly motivating, and
• Writing prompts produced more
effective learning than
• Readings text-book reading, note-
• Assessments taking, or other strongly
teacher-directed
activity.”2
2Learning Junior Secondary Science Waldrip, Prain, and Carolan
Electronic Journal of Science Education V. 11, 1 Fall 2006

8. Discovery Education
Science Techbook
Screen Capture of Multi Model Activities

9. Discovery Education
Science Techbook
Integrated formative and summative assessments
• Writing Prompts
• Tests
• Labs
• Research
• Learning Groups
• Flipped Classroom
• Learning Center

10. Discovery Education
Science Techbook
Based in best educational practices
• Organized around the
teacher-friendly 5E
Instructional Model
• Integrates the nature of
science and inquiry into
every phase of learning
• Designed around big ideas
and essential questions
• Student resources for ALL
learning styles

11. Discovery Education
Science Techbook
Built in teacher preparation
• Topic Summary Sheets
• Model Lessons
• 5 Minute Prep Screen capture of some teacher tools
• State Standards “The problem of inadequate teacher
• Misconceptions preparation is not limited to high school, but
extends down into middle and elementary
• Assignment Manager school. There,enthusiasm and background
to teach with
lacking the proper
• Classroom Manager confidence, teachers often transmit to students
as dislike of science.” L. McDermott (1990)
• Custom in-personprofessional development