Digital Textbooks in Schools

[ItStOuGhEnOuGh4Us]

Hey everyone, I have read a lot of threads here, and this is my first time writing one. So be nice :P
Florida is switching to digital textbooks for all of it's schools, and will be mandatory by the year 2015 in all Schools in this state.
I for one like this idea, as it will lighten up my backpack a lot. However I am concerned at the same time. There are a lot of kids I know that don't have access to the internet at home. This was not mentioned in the article as to how the school systems will address this issue.
To me, this would make it an unfair advantage for the families that are already struggling to keep their children current in the classroom, as well as with homework.
I know it is cost effective for the state school system to do this, but at what price? I would like to hear your thoughts on this subject, thanks.:)

[Donkey]

I can't passively revise from a screen. We have some pdfs for textbooks and I just can't suck the information in like I can with a paper book. But that's just me.

[ItStOuGhEnOuGh4Us]

Donkey,
Thanks for reading it and posting on it, I agree with you here. It's just not the same.

[CryWolf]

Well you really hit on it with the concern about access for everyone. This is going to be the biggest hold up to the plan of going 'all digital'. The fact that they didn't address it in the article suggests that they haven't figured out what they are going to do about that either. Until they come up with a workable plan it would be unwise to go forward with the idea. Just my opinion. :)
I have to also agree that there's just something about reading a paper book that I really love.

[Sith Lord 13]

I can't passively revise from a screen. We have some pdfs for textbooks and I just can't suck the information in like I can with a paper book. But that's just me.

Then print it out?

[Donkey]

Then print it out?
Yeah, printing out an entire textbook on a home printer (the most expensive ink) would be as dumb as it would be costly.

[Sith Lord 13]

Yeah, printing out an entire textbook on a home printer (the most expensive ink) would be as dumb as it would be costly.

Try printing it at school?

[ItStOuGhEnOuGh4Us]

Try printing it at school?

My school would never allow this. Wow, now you are seeing the problem :P

[DreamSeeker]

I have mixed feelings, as for one it depends what they use. If it's something like the Kindle then it's a problem with colour and stuff but it's cheap.
And it would not be an iPad due to everyone likely to just go play on Angry Birds in lesson (I know I would).

But as for the Internet thing, I don't know about Florida but in the U.K we have a plan here or what ever set by our (bad) government that most of the U.K should have broadband by 2012.

[Donkey]

Try printing it at school?

We have ink allowance of about 30 pages... the textbooks are over 300 pages. This isn't the point though - even if I was to print it at school, it would be tax payers money paying for the ink just as it would be had the school gone and bought a textbook outright. Doesn't really save any money (A4 paper and colour ink is much cheaper for printing companies) and I don't think digital textbooks are particularly practical.

[RoseyCadaver]

I can't passively revise from a screen. We have some pdfs for textbooks and I just can't suck the information in like I can with a paper book. But that's just me.

Same here.I,the hippie tree hugging boy over here,love paper books and the feel of paper,also after a while screens start hurting my eyes.

[Maverick]

We have ink allowance of about 30 pages... the textbooks are over 300 pages. This isn't the point though - even if I was to print it at school, it would be tax payers money paying for the ink just as it would be had the school gone and bought a textbook outright. Doesn't really save any money (A4 paper and colour ink is much cheaper for printing companies) and I don't think digital textbooks are particularly practical.
You have to remember to that not every kid will need to print it out. I for one can absorb information from the computer just fine. A few that printed won't be such a huge burden. Not every kid is even going to bother to read the book anyway.

I think its a very good idea that should have been implemented a long time ago. In this age of technology its the way of the future. As someone that works in printing, making textbooks costs a ridiculous amount of money that continues to rise. All school systems should adopt this.

[Korashk]

This would probably be one of the greatest ways for a school to save money ever. Let's do some math:

Average cost of a highschool textbook: $70
Cost of a NEW Kindle or Nook: ~$130
Average student uses 4 textbooks a semester: $280

The saving per student is over 50%. Mainly because you don't have to pay as much for a digital textbook and only one can provide the resources for an entire school (realistically they'd have to buy multiple copies, which would lessen the amount saved, but they would still save).

To cover the cost of replacing the Kindles or Nooks they could even require that the students put a deposit down, which would be refunded at the end of the school year.

However I am concerned at the same time. There are a lot of kids I know that don't have access to the internet at home. This was not mentioned in the article as to how the school systems will address this issue.
Load up each Kindle/Nook with the books before handing them out.

[Starlight Blaze]

See this is actually a great idea, especially when you add in what ^Austin^ said
however they should perhaps keep a few copies of paper textbooks for certain kids to use with a letter from a parent...and if they're worried about the money of the paper textbook at taht point, maybe have the parents py a small part of it? I don't know just my idea.

Overall, with some work, it is a great idea, though it means less of a workout when I walk home :P

[ItStOuGhEnOuGh4Us]

As I said, I am all for it too. However my concern is for the kids who's parents cant afford to put down a deposit for the devices. Or for that matter any type of Deposit. Many schools, including mine, aren't even providing paper or pencils. Some families cant afford to even buy their children new school clothes, let alone supplies.
So I just feel that it is a sad day in this country, when out government would rather spend over 50,000 dollars to house a prisoner for one year, than to invest part or all of that money on a Child and their education!

[IanMilo]

I have to say the whole thing is dumb. Unless they plan to but a bunch of devices that they loan out to the kids ( at a very cheap rate or not even require payment) there is no way this will succeed. I know a lot of teachers at my school would probably end up printing out the pages we actually need paying for ink with their own money. It's really unfair all around. I think sticking with books is the way to go. Besides, we have enough things electronic. It'd be nice to keep books around, nothing beats the feel of the pages in your hands.

[Perseus]

Actually, this is really practical. Take college for example, textbooks be expensive and heavy as fuck. On the kindle, I believe, you can now rent college textbooks on there, saving you money and your back. I'd rather have a Kindle with my textbooks than a textbook itself since they're so big. And, you'd be able to highlight shit and whatnot. And I guess some of you don't know this: ebook devices are designed not to hurt your eyes.

[Matt_is_Awesome]

Its a good idea to switch to digital books! The student probally wont get on the internet if its an iPad because there are ways to block off apps and stay on 1 app like iBooks the whole time
Go to the Apple Store and they got iPads now telling u prices on every item and u cant take that app of no matter how much u hit the home button

[IanMilo]

And I guess some of you don't know this: ebook devices are designed not to hurt your eyes.

Just because they are designed not to, doesn't mean they don't.

[Lawliet]

I agree it seems like a pretty good idea, I think they should have at least had this option a couple of years before now but oh well. It definitely does saves someone from the back pain of carrying a load of heavy books. However they will have to figure out a way to solve the issue of those who can't access the digital books.

[Perseus]

Just because they are designed not to, doesn't mean they don't.

Well, their eyes must be fucked up, then.

[Korashk]

However they will have to figure out a way to solve the issue of those who can't access the digital books.
I've resolved this issue a few posts up.

[Lawliet]

I've resolved this issue a few posts up.

Oh don't know how I missed that.

That idea seems feasible, with that solved I hope that they implement this nationwide.

[DoctorWho]

haha I would love ine of those

[Awesome]

Please, get with technolgy. Saving trees and looking cool while you do it. If you dont have internet connection, then get with technolgy or move to Nigeria.

[CairAndros]

Going digital is an interesting proposition. Personally, I have just finished my secondary education and the next stage of education that I will receive will be at the Royal Naval Officer College Britannia. However, looking back at my last year of secondary education I did use both digital and physical textbooks. I'm really not sure how the American system works, from what I've picked up in the thread already you seem to buy your textbooks for every subject?, in Scotland we do things slightly differently. Each department has x amount of textbooks/novels/other necessary materials for any level that they teach, these materials are either; in the case of english, and other subjects, kept in the class and used by several classes each year; or - in maths for certain years - the books are given out to each pupil on the condition that they are returned in good condition. Personally, I like the physical aspect of having a book/set of notes. I studied computing at the highest available level last year and having a physical set of the notes printed out - feasible only due to the fact that there were two of us sitting the subject - as well as having a digital set was very useful in several ways. With regards to the physical set, I was able to write all over them, make notes on the pages, highlight passages, mark where I needed to get my teacher to explain points in more depth; on the digital copies I was able to quickly check certain areas without having to search through several chapters for one oblique reference.

There are advantages and disadvantages to having physical and digital copies; some people work better from computers alone, others from physical sources - others again can work from both equally well. At the end of the day, it should really come down to personal preference and ability; does the student want to study from a Kindle reader or do they want to study from the physical book and can they study that way.

[anonymous53]

It's a good idea somewhat, I highly prefer having the actual textbook in my hands.

I just can't seem to focus the same reading off a computer screen as I can a book. Usually it hurts my eyes.

[CantLiveWithoutYou]

Great section to post this in dude...