For decades, textbooks were seen as the underpinning foundation for learning in schools across the world. They were a fundamental part of the educational infrastructure, assigned to students for each subject and carried in heavy backpacks every day – from home to school and back again.
In today's world, student life has been revolutionised on every level. Their learning experiences are almost incomparable to the days without technology and infinite knowledge made accessible through technological advancements. With constantly evolving technological tools and an increase in digital curriculum materials, we are seeing a move away from textbooks.
There are a wealth of multimedia resources at the tips of our fingers, offering incredible up-to-the-minute solutions for teachers to bring their subjects to life. With companies like Apple sparking an electronic revolution with tablet-based interactive textbooks and Google’s online tools, such as their web-based productivity apps, there is a clear shift towards digital learning.
When we open our doors next month, Dunecrest American School will be close to 100 per cent free from textbooks, opting to use more contemporary, cutting-edge, online resources to enhance student learning. This approach encourages students to interact closely with their subjects, creating a deeper engagement and understanding through critical analysis and research.
Students extend their new learning and knowledge with enjoyable projects using a variety of applications, ranging from experiments and conventional presentations to class plays, living museums and even music videos, experiencing and demonstrating a strong knowledge base, technological fluency, writing skills and analytical skills along the way.
Our teachers use the latest tools to create lesson plans and our students have access to a wide range of online materials that are included in the curriculum, which is documented and based on defined attainment standards prescribed by the US State Department’s overseas education office.
Where we can't do without textbooks altogether – in mathematics, for instance, where we still focus instruction around a core text – we are very close to being able to work without them. Our curriculum includes resources and links with educational content from a range of digital programmes covering topics from science to coding, which, together with student apps, present a powerful set of advanced learning tools for our learners.
With a curriculum designed around project-based learning, Dunecrest’s curriculum incorporates student challenges that encourage learners to solve problems, ask questions, use research and critical thinking to find the answers themselves. These projects are also transdisciplinary, connecting multiple learning topics within the curriculum, allowing students to see the real world application of subjects such as mathematics, science, geography as well as teaching research and honing students’ writing skills.
Multimedia project presentations also teach children a range of skills from art and design to coding and media. From Minecraft to rooftop gardening, this is a very modern approach to pedagogy, which allows students to easily access the very latest resources and knowledge and connect topics with real world learning in a way that textbooks simply cannot achieve.
Moving beyond the textbook means adopting a new way of thinking about learning materials, where they integrate the best of openly licenced text, images, multimedia and interactive elements that enable practice and immediate feedback. It also means thinking beyond content as a way to deliver information, but also as an educational tool that can promote new forms of pedagogy that involve students as participants.
The shift from print to digital has given students and teachers access to content that exceeds the quantity and quality of a traditional textbook. These advances create more engaging and exciting ways for both students and teachers to learn.
Bill Delbrugge is headmaster of Dunecrest American School in Dubai
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The Breadwinner
Director: Nora Twomey
Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Laara Sadiq
Three stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
