Ministry of Education and Training: Electronic textbooks must optimize the interface and protect students' eyesight.

On the afternoon of December 2, the Ministry of Education and Training announced a draft Circular on standards, conversion processes and organization of appraisal of electronic textbooks (SGK) according to the general education program, soliciting opinions on the Ministry's Electronic Information Portal. Previously, publishers had digitized their books, but there were no specific regulations.

The Ministry of Education and Training said that compiling electronic textbooks contributes to creating a rich source of digital learning materials, suitable for Vietnam's conditions and advanced educational trends, ensuring learners' benefits, promoting digital transformation and developing digital citizens.

Regarding electronic textbook standards, the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that they must fully meet current textbook standards, have content that is true to the printed version, have digital formats that comply with technical standards, support multiple platforms (computers, phones, e-readers) and ensure regulations on copyright, intellectual property, security and archiving.

In particular, the electronic textbook interface must display optimally on many devices, suitable for students' health and vision in terms of fonts, font sizes, colors, visual effects and sounds. The electronic textbook format must comply with national technical standards and regulations, conform to international open standards or popular formats, ensure cross-platform compatibility and support access for people with disabilities. In addition, electronic textbooks must not include advertisements, business content or shopping suggestions, or external introductions.

In addition, electronic textbooks need to have features for searching, highlighting, taking notes, zooming in and out of content; allowing basic interactions (selecting answers, dragging and dropping, listening repeatedly, entering text, etc.); flexible integration and updating features, and the ability to link with learning management systems according to popular standards, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality technology.

At the same time, electronic textbooks can be used online or downloaded when there is no stable internet connection, ensuring users can always use them.

The Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that electronic textbooks must fully meet current textbook standards and display optimally on many devices. (Illustration photo)

Regarding infrastructure, the data storage server system is located in Vietnam, has a Vietnamese internet domain name, and is assigned by the Ministry of Education and Training to a competent unit according to the provisions of law to organize operation, maintenance, and periodic updates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Training.

The Ministry of Education and Training requires that e-textbooks must comply with the provisions of the current Publishing Law, Cyber Security Law, and Digital Technology Industry Law. At the same time, they must strictly comply with regulations on security and privacy of personal data, have measures to prevent and protect against cyber security threats, and ensure that they do not contain harmful or offensive links or content.

Organizations, agencies, and publishers that fully meet the conditions for electronic publications, or other organizations and agencies that have publishing links with publishers and meet the conditions for electronic publications, will be assigned by the Minister of Education and Training to convert textbooks from printed to electronic versions according to the provisions of law.

Electronic textbooks converted from printed versions must ensure all prescribed criteria are met.

When printed textbooks are revised or updated, electronic textbooks will be adjusted accordingly. The implementation process follows the conversion process, except for the experimental part. Experimental implementation of revised electronic textbooks will only be carried out when there is a decision from the Minister of Education and Training.

LINH NHI

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/bo-gd-dt-sach-giao-khoa-dien-tu-phai-toi-uu-giao-dien-bao-ve-thi-giac-hoc-sinh-ar990696.html