The Russian Ministry of Education and Science has started to draft official requirements for electronic versions of textbooks. Such textbooks are expected to appear in Russian schools next year. From now on all textbooks should be issued in both printed and electronic versions. Electronic versions should have special graphics and interactive exercises. According to Deputy Minister of Education Tatyana Tretyak, the decision to issue electronic textbooks is based on the ministry's desire to be up-to-date. "We have to be up-to-date, to meet the demands of modern society," the official said.
However, many specialists believe that in the sphere of education new technologies and innovations should be introduced only when it's truly necessary, as the aim of the process is more important than its means. That is why new technologies should be used together with traditional educational methods.
Member of the Presidential Council for Inter-ethnic Relations and member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Valery Tishkov believes that the national and regional history, traditions and native languages of the peoples of Russia are very important for education. According to the scholar, Russians are very badly educated in this field. "Especially youngsters. They have visited Antalya, Cyprus and Costa Brava, but have never been to Volga, Kizhi, they have never seen Lake Baikal and thought that Buryats live in a foreign country, in China perhaps," he said.
Tishkov is certain that textbooks, schools and the whole education system are not enough. "It would be a good idea to organize free excursions for schoolchildren, which would be obligatory for all pupils. Children from smaller towns can visit Moscow and St. Petersburg or see sites in their own regions," the scholar said.
He believes that the media play a crucial role in this process. "Our media are now trying to educate the population, to teach them about their own country, life in different countries, different cultures and traditions. Such local elements are very popular in today's world. Singers who perform at the Eurovision contests always stress their national identity, they use traditional musical instruments or wear national costumes," he said.
According to Tishkov, mass culture should not be avoided either. "By giving up mass culture we give up modernity, give up youngsters, we destroy ties with the outside world. Of course popular culture can be dangerous, but still it is the most powerful means of communication between various countries and cultures," the scholar said.
It is also very important to promote regional cultures, Tishkov believes. 'Every region has its own cultural identity. It helps people to feel united. Without this regional identity, national identity would be impossible. People who were born in Moscow may not realize it, but for many Russians regional identity and national identity are not one and the same thing, even though they are indeed interrelated," the scholar said.
