With DEM, we aimed to take the use of digital textbooks “to the next level” by providing a previously missing, format-independent and academically validated reference and working tool for all stakeholders involved in textbook development. The core objective was the development of three immediately usable end products: (1) a scientific analysis of the current state of digital textbook development, including an evaluation of existing implementations and their accessibility; (2) practical pedagogical and technical guidelines that integrate didactic, design-related, technical, and accessibility requirements; and (3) illustrative prototypes that demonstrate how these guidelines can be transferred into realistic teaching and content scenarios. These outputs enable teachers, publishers, authors, designers, and technical developers to refer to scientifically validated, practice-oriented artifacts and to use them directly for the selection, implementation, and production of digital, accessible textbooks. The results were also intended to be made widely accessible and disseminated in order to sustainably strengthen digital transformation and inclusion.
The project idea emerged during a discussion following an expert lecture held as part of a sensitization campaign on inclusive education in Luxembourg. The panel of experts identified that neither at the local nor at the European level do concrete guidelines or examples exist on how to implement an optimal digital textbook that takes into account subject-specific didactic requirements, accessibility, design-related quality criteria, and technical prerequisites. With this project, we aimed to address this gap in a targeted manner and to create a practically usable reference. Several needs were addressed: there was a lack of comprehensive, academically sound guidance for all stakeholders involved in textbook development. By combining didactic, digital, and inclusive expertise, the project sought to create a coherent framework that connects requirements, processes, and concrete implementation examples. A core concern was universal accessibility and barrier-free design, ensuring that especially students with disabilities can benefit equally from digital learning materials.