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