Journal of East China Normal University(Educationa ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (9): 58-69.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2026.09.006

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The Transformation of Textbook Discourse in the Digital Age

Hao Lei, Chunming Yang   

  1. Institute of Curriculum and Instruction, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
  • Online:2026-09-01 Published:2026-08-29

Abstract:

With the rapid advancement of digital technology, textbooks in China are undergoing a transformation from static, linear print formats to dynamic, interactive digital media. However, the current digital transformation of textbooks largely remains at a superficial level of electronization and intellectualization, overlooking the more fundamental need to reconstruct the discourse system of textbooks. According to the first principles of textbook design, the digital transformation of textbook discourse is essentially a negotiation and adjustment between technical logic and the meta-determination of textbooks in knowledge theory, politics, and education. Based on a critical examination of Western textbook discourse styles, the stylistic characteristics of Chinese textbook discourse are trending toward a digitally structured presentation centered on academic principles, a standardized digital adaptation guided by curriculum standards, and an immersive digital expression enriched by cultural context. In terms of value orientation, it is essential to adhere to digital humanism by advocating for human-centeredness, the co-construction of meaning, and humanistic care. Regarding narrative models, three representative types can be identified: problem-oriented inquiry narratives, data-driven evidence-based narratives, and cross-media collaborative narratives. These address the inherent demands of the digital transformation of textbook discourse from the perspectives of cognitive approaches, modes of thinking, and mechanisms of expression. In the realm of transformation practice, it is necessary to prudently address potential risks of discourse power restructuring and technological alienation that may arise during the process of digital transformation. These include the structural challenge posed by algorithmic recommendation to the authority of textbook discourse, the technological erosion of the dialogical nature of textbook discourse through intelligent interaction, and the unidirectional narrowing of meaning generation in textbook discourse resulting from data-driven presentation. In summary, through a systematic exploration of the stylistic features, value orientations, and potential pathways of the digital transformation of Chinese textbook discourse, this paper aims to provide theoretical references for constructing a textbook system that is value-oriented, culturally grounded, and responsive to the needs of the times.

Key words: textbook discourse, digital transformation, style, values, narrative mode, deliberation