Textbooks urge online information

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THE ISSUE

The Columbia County school system recently approved the adoption of new science textbooks for its elementary, middle and high schools. However, the new textbooks also highlight the changing direction of education -- online access to course material.

School board member Mike Sleeper said he would like to see the school system shift from a reliance on textbooks to available technology.

"It's definitely worth investigating. We're talking about (saving) a significant chunk of change," he said. "My goal is to push the school system into the 21st century, and that's just another component."

PROS

Rose Carraway, the director of high school student learning, said the state already requires textbook vendors to provide students with some form of technology access, such as a CD, a Web link or a Web pass code.

The school system is not at the point of exploring the cost of using online materials exclusively, Dr. Carraway said. However, she said it would be "cheaper and easier" for schools to provide online instructional tools rather than textbooks.

She said one biology book costs about $76, and the school system buys 300 to 500 per high school.

She also said CDs, which students can check out, or pass codes would keep students from having to carry heavy books in their backpacks.

CONS

Despite the advantages that online access offers over textbooks, Dr. Carraway said, "It will be many years before we can get away from that comfort zone."

Some students do not have computers at home, Dr. Carraway said, and some parents are uncomfortable using new technology.

"There are a lot of parents that are not tech savvy, and they want a textbook in their hands" when they help their children with homework, she said.

Mr. Sleeper also said online technology is not as portable as textbooks that students can take from place to place.

-- Betsy Gilliland, staff writer

Comments

jessamine

As a college student, I approach the idea of placing course content online or on a CD with some skepticism. College textbooks nowadays, especially in science/engineering frequently are "bundled" with a supplementary CD or access card to a website. Because the two usually cannot be bought separately, the main purpose of this pairing seems to be to raise the price of the book. No one I know has ever used these websites, and the only time I used a CD was when a professor assigned ONE homework problem that required some information on it. This is not to say they are useless, but that they generally they will ignored unless teachers make a effort to incorporate them into their curriculum.
Another objection of mine is that such a plan would require students to spend much more time in front of a computer screen. Personally, I find it much harder to concentrate on a screen than a book, plus there are the disadvantages of eye strain, poor posture, and the temptations of using the Internet, games, etc. I also agree with concerns over unequal access. Finally, I wonder how much the publishers might charge for access their content.
Technology should be one tool, and not a replacement.

workingmom

Textbooks online supplement what is being taught in the classroom. If a student forgets a book at school, the information can be accessed online at home to aid the student in completing assignments. These CD's are not meant to replace the textbook at this point, in my opinion. Some of these online textbooks also have an option to have the text read to the student. This can be a good thing, especially in the lower grades. I applaud CC for being ready to take the schools into the 21st century by exploring options such as this.

Mulanrouge25

I agree with all of the prior posts and workingmom I know what you mean, my daughter forgot her book at school the other day and thanks to the infprmation being avaliable online she was able to complete her work. I also find it useful when my daughter is at her fathers house and she needs help with her work I am able to access her work online and help her over the phone. A great back up resource definitely not a replacement!

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