California Moves Toward Online Textbooks

Well Eric...that depends. When will you use reason instead of unfounded, personal insults?

As a Californian, and a college student, I can see what our Governor is trying to do here. While I applaud his efforts, I also think this idea is a little far fetched. It just isn't fair to poorer students who lack computers at home. It gives a clear advantage to wealthier students who can afford computers and even greater advantages to those lucky enough to portable computers.

Sadly, this is an issue with no easy answers. As our new fiscal year looms I'm sure all Californians are wondering where we'll be hit this year.

Not a communist (where do you get that?) and wondering the same thing - not everybody has a computer or internet service. This is exactly what we mean about the legislature not having a clue.

While I agree that it's not the best of plans, since it will leave poor students with no option to work from home, I find your comments about "west coasts communists" to be typical of someone without the ability to argue their point with common sense. Inflammatory phrases make you sound ignorant -- not the people of California.

And this is why CA is in the poor house, ideas like this. How about they do what MOST states do: force kids to use the same book for 5-10 years before retiring it. If one gets damaged or lost, charge the students. I went to a Blue Ribbon school. You know the page where youre supposed to write your name in? Not only was it completely filled in, but students were using a different page! Sure things got out of date. But just like atlases, and navigation CDs, you dont need to spend 30-$100 a year, every year.

Also, I had a teacher who would post his overhead notes online so that we could either study from them, or print them out for class. Most of the student would goof off and not pay attention because of this. If theyre not forced to take notes, theres no point, so he stopped. The exact same thing will happen with digital copies for ipods and other formats. Its not about making it easier for students to learn, its about giving them even more reason to goof off.

YOU GOT IT

So are you suggesting kids who can't afford a computer not get an education? Sounds like fascism to me.

While Arnold is trying to find ways to save money, how about the $16 BILLION that California spends on police, judges and jails? You can't turn around in that state without getting a ticket, or getting arrested for the tiniest infraction. No, you wouldn't want to change that, because YOU are the Totalitarians.

Really, English and math don't change that much... history, yes, but rarely so much that buying new books every seven years isn't enough. Sometimes the money allocated isn't even spent, although it can't be used for other things. I certainly wouldn't agree with making a computer or Kindle available to take home, because it could easily get lost or stolen, and when you're given things you don't value them as much.

This has been in the works since at least 1985. I went to the international Reading Convention in CA then and saw the writing on the wall. Students who don't have computers at home should have access time built into their school schedule first. Secondly, load the lesson on the iPod, then change it periodically. As a 30 yr veteran of teaching, the computerized textbook is the WAY to go. This is a MAJOR-MAJOR money-saving suggestion. Also, the updates make the study much more relevent. Good for Arnold!!!

Kathy, are you kidding me? History does not change. It grows as years pass. History should remain the same. Just adding more each year. Part of the problem with this world is the "revisionists" that re-write history, changing things and re-publishing them as new "facts", which in truth are nothing but lies. Just look at the History of modern day and ancient Israel, as told by the so-called "palestinians". Or, look at the history of this nation, as told by the secular humanists! They are both nothing even close to resembling the truth, as found in the older books and records of the times.

And will you pay for internet access for them as well? The Governator may mean well, but he has some dumb ideas... such as closing state parks, even if they pay for themselves! That's one that makes no sense at all, would just make more people unemployed for no reason.

True. However, what will happen with a family with multiple children? How will each one get his work done with one computer? The idea is great, but what's ideal vs. real?

bottom line what is this actor doing in offfice? where is all the money going just stop and think of all the tax'es every day sales tax alone must be a billon a day. something is wrong get this actor out of office. calif should be cut in half. better yet every thing north of bakersfeild will be northen calif.