California Moves Toward Online Textbooks

Starting this Fall, California high school students' backpacks will be a little lighter. In an effort to save money, math and science classes will use online textbooks, BBC News reported.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the move is made for the sake of innovation, but there is no denying the Golden State is facing a budget crisis. According to BBC News, the state is $24.3 billion short of meeting its budget. California spent $350 million on textbooks last year alone. Since the governor refuses to raise taxes, he is looking for ways to cut spending across the board.
Aside from saving money, Schwarzenegger says the online texts could provide a more fluid learning experience. With the ability to easily update the material and even download it to devices like an iPod, these digital texts, the governor told BBC News, are the future of learning.
However, one high school history teacher told BBC News this method puts poorer students at a disadvantage. Dave Allen, whose employer school was not identified, said there are many students in California who could not afford a computer -- meaning the state would have to spend money to provide them with access.
We like the idea of digital textbooks, and the potential for constantly updating them, but if you ask us, it doesn't sound like much money would actually be saved in the end. [From: BBC News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 13)
Eric R. Luna said 5:57PM on 6-09-2009
Oh - ok, CA will save money on text books, but will now have to subsidize those who cannot afford a computer... when will these west coast communists pull their heads out of their asses and learn to REASON.
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sanothemonkey said 8:05PM on 6-09-2009
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.
Kathy said 9:04AM on 6-10-2009
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.
Cyn said 11:34AM on 6-10-2009
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.
Niki said 11:43AM on 6-10-2009
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.
Norma said 1:32PM on 6-10-2009
YOU GOT IT
tannerlb1 said 2:05PM on 6-10-2009
So are you suggesting kids who can't afford a computer not get an education? Sounds like fascism to me.
Master Shake said 12:39AM on 6-19-2009
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.
ENVi said 10:10PM on 6-09-2009
It was bound to happen sooner or later. On top of that, it's much more expensive for a student to lose his backpack with all his book than for a student to say, lose a Kindle. You can have the Kindle as a loaner to poorer student or hell, to all student for the life they're in school, still would save more money.
On top of that, I'm sure California has the power to say, we'll pay XX amount for updates to the electronic books. This will also eliminate the problem of teaching student outdated material. The pro's more than outweigh any con. The only loser here is the people who loves printing books and been making a killing doing revision every year to sell more books. Educational books are a scam, especially in higher learning.
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Kathy said 9:11AM on 6-10-2009
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.
dxedebb said 12:03PM on 6-10-2009
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!!!
Brenda said 9:49PM on 6-10-2009
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.
Patty M said 6:53AM on 6-10-2009
WOW What an awesome idea. It is something I have thought about for many years. Think of the savings and all the tress that would not have to come down for our use!
If there are students that need a computer at home, don't you think the cost would be less each year than the cost of the text books that have to be purchased? In Science especially, new things are being discovered, Pluto is no longer a planet (dumb move), strides in medicine, and the list goes on. With each new discovery, all it would take is a person making corrections in one place and saving the correction and sending it out to all the students. No new books have to be purchased because they are out of date with each new day!
GO GOV ARNOLD!!!
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Kathy said 9:17AM on 6-10-2009
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.
Chuck said 6:56AM on 6-10-2009
Good idea. computers are very cheap. Brand new name brand laptops are under $400. New textbooks for a school year cost more than that.
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carolkemo3 said 7:30AM on 6-10-2009
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?
Kim said 11:01AM on 6-10-2009
Some good things about this, some bad. Saving money, that's good. Putting textbook companies out of business? That's bad.
The fact that blind or Visually impaired will now have equal access to texts needed, that's good. The fact that many will develop vision problems because of the computer screen, that's bad.
It's probably time for this...but OH HOW I WILL MISS A BOOK IN MY HANDS.
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John said 7:23AM on 6-10-2009
More Government control over what the Youth will read,.... especially what they do NOT want the Youth to know,.... Books are Bad and should be Burned and Destroyed.
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Bug said 7:40AM on 6-10-2009
It has been written that the party leaders aim to make us slaves to the corporations who will probably enforce their rules with their private armies like, Blackwater.
If California allows them to outlaw text books that is the same thing Hitler did but Arnie will just use a different mask.
Oh Woe Is The US
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ron cain said 9:34AM on 6-10-2009
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.