Comments on: Florida Approves Move To Digital Textbooks

By: Hmm...

Hmm... — Fri, 20 May 2011 21:08:45 +0000

Lugging those backpacks is all the exercise some kids are getting outside of school, due, in part, to technology, such as video games, television, and the internet. Just saying…

By: Hal (RSA)

Hal (RSA) — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:35:06 +0000

I think this is great. I am either surprised by those kids who don’t have books to take home because they have to share books in the classroom, or I am stunned by those kids who are having to lug 50 pounds of books on their small backs.

Going eBook is a win win to me.

By: whitepunknotondope

whitepunknotondope — Wed, 18 May 2011 11:36:50 +0000

The downside is that elementary school age boys will no longer be able to draw a mustache, dripping fangs and horns on a picture of Eisenhower!

By: EWMS parent

EWMS parent — Wed, 18 May 2011 01:53:30 +0000

There are pros and cons…

With e-readers – yes they hold alot of books, easy to tote, don’t take up much room…
but – kids sit & spill stuff on books, and misplace them, with e-readers – if anything is spilled or sat on them, they’re ruined and have to be replaced…many parents can’t afford the cost of these, they’re a ‘luxury’, so where does that leave the kid whose parents can’t afford to get another one?

As far as a computer- not everyone has one, we don’t. We’re very fortunate that we can use my mom-n-law’s, but not everyone has that option and don’t have a way to get to the library to use one there. What happens with those kids?

Some are very good with electronics, but some aren’t.

Everything really needs to be weighed out before just tossing all the regular text books. What subjects besides Science & History really changes that quickly? Maybe have a few ‘back-up’ text books at the schools. At least for those who aren’t good with electronics, that don’t have computer access, or for those who have some sort of ‘malfunction’ with the e-reader? Just a thought.

…My son got an e-reader for Christmas…within a few weeks it was ruined and had to be replaced, thank God Amazon’s good with their warranties or he wouldn’t have gotten a replacement! My son is very good with books, and electronic games etc…but he had sat a couple library books on it (and not big ones), and that was all it took.

Accidents can happen with anyone, never mind the ones who would do something deliberately to get out of doing their homework!
…and the ones that would sell them on e-bay or something…could be students, parents, or just someone who sees and takes one…

By: Pondering

Pondering — Tue, 17 May 2011 21:14:02 +0000

@Byrneville,
You are right, “different” is just that…different. I’m speaking of myself, too, when I talk about those of us who find digital learning challenging. Digital books just give us another tool to use in addition to the textbook. It shouldn’t ever replace real-life learning. It does, however, give our students the skills they will need to compete in the global job market. Me….I still will want to curl up on the couch with a book. I learn best with a pencil in my hand! That’s what makes education so challenging; keeping up with the changes that occur seemingly overnight and helping students learn in ways that make sense to them.

By: 2morecentsworth

2morecentsworth — Tue, 17 May 2011 21:06:32 +0000

The amazing part of our school system is the fact that they want to jump into all of the new technology at all cost, yet not see the full picture. My children attend Molino Park Elementary. The technology is very much available for the children and the teachers, but as with so many newer schools there is no support for the ongoing technology needs. The school district will provide the computers for the classrooms or for computer labs, but ultimately it is up to the teachers or the PTA to purchase cords that are worn out or printers cartridges that need replacing. A computer cord for 1 computer can be around $50.00. If you do the math and each class needs replacement cords then it can get expensive quickly. Sure schools have technology groups. They got new smart boards that are sometimes challenging to use. What was wrong with the boards that the classrooms were using to begin with? From where we stand they are still placed all over the school on tops of tables and in storage areas. What a waste of technology funds. When these new boards break down who will be paying for the repairs. Will they be placed in a corner unused as well?

Technology savy students can be great, but not every student has that technology at home. Multiple students do their projects at school because their families either choose not to bring the internet into the home or can not afford technology in the home. How will those students study without books? If our students are not allowed to take ipods and misc. items on campus without the worry of someone stealing them, then how is this any different? My child had a book take from her desk this year immediately after it was issued. We had to pay for the book. The cost was approx. $90.00. We were told not to worry that it would probably turn up. It did. It turned up in that class room over a month later. How will this be handled if we are all technology? I can see these devices being bought and sold by unlawful people/students. Easy buck if you really think about it.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:32:08 +0000

The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. The legislature is not thinking of the large percentage of low income students who do not have access to computers at home. At what age do we start? kindergarten?

This “legislature” really did a number this year… I hope many are not re-elected.

By: Byrneville Resident

Byrneville Resident — Tue, 17 May 2011 16:24:07 +0000

@pondering
“Research is beginning to show that the brains of individuals who have grown up with digital/electronic technology in their hands from early ages have very different neural pathways.”

“Different” doesn’t necessarily mean “better.” Many in this e-world today do not know how to do things for themselves, how to reason out an answer without the benefit of a computer. Computers are great, (and I don’t “fear” them) but sometimes we just need to look around us and learn from observing nature and all this big old world has to offer. Yes, I’m older. But I have been blessed to grow up without computers and such. We learned to think for ourselves and learned to research things on our own. Now, I can choose which method I want to use. There’s a lot to be said for and against both sides.

By: GRITS

GRITS — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:36:54 +0000

This will make things so much simpler for so many. Now, instead of losing a science book or a math book, the kids can lose all of them at the same time!

By: mehere

mehere — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:57:16 +0000

Not fair, this will hold many behind. All of us are not made for computers and digital textbooks. A large percent do not have computers are home as they cannot afford the internet. I was a teacher and students each learn differently. One method does not work for all in learning. There should be a choice.