Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/3058
Are California schools ready for digital textbooks? W ill digital textbooks begin a new chapter of technology in the class- room? Or will they deepen the digital divide between students who are haves and have-nots? Among teachers, the issue is not ex- actly an open and shut case. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger launched his Digital Textbook Initiative last June as a way for schools to help close the budget deficit. Under the initiative, high school students will have access to digi- tal science and math textbooks starting this school year. Digital textbook content developers submitted materials over the summer to officials at the California Department of Education — as well as teachers with the Learning Resources Network — to make sure they were aligned with the state standards. Of 16 digital textbooks re- viewed, 10 met at least 90 percent of state high school math and science standards, according to the governor’s office. While these books are available for free, they have to be downloaded in some form onto computers or printed out by teachers for distribution to students. Various bills are in the pipeline to fund digital textbooks, but have been stalled due to the state’s budget crisis. The average textbook costs $75 to $100. But for students without comput- ers, digital books could be costly. They would require an electronic reader known as a Kindle that costs hundreds of dollars — and then pay nominal fees for downloading through Amazon to access digital textbooks. CTA’s Curriculum and Instruction Committee members have discussed the pros and cons of digital textbooks, and apparently the reviews are mixed. “It’s basically a split decision among members when it comes to digital text- books,” says Nancee Fine, president of the Victor Elementary Teachers Associa- tion. “Some of us think it would be a good thing because it’s a great way to save money and not have kids with back- packs that weigh 100 pounds. But if stu- 26 California Educator | september 2009 dents don’t have a computer or a Kindle, they won’t have access to these text- books. And teachers will be back to mak- ing copies again, which is not cost-effec- tive. With budget cuts, more schools are limiting paper and limiting the numbers of copies teachers can make. So in theory it sounds terrific, but when it comes to practi- cality, I don’t know if we’re there yet.” “Every child should have a textbook according to the Williams settlement,” says Mary Rose Ortega, a CTA Board member who serves as liaison to the committee. “Does this mean access to digital books on top of regular books? If the governor wants to substitute one for another, is it fair access? Not really.” Mary Rose Ortega CTA Board member “Good professional development will be needed for teachers to understand how digital textbooks fit into their class- rooms and how to design modules around it,” says Daly Jordan- Koch, a teacher at a Title I elementary school and a Vallejo Education Associa- tion member who is vice chair of the commit tee. “Digital textbooks could mean huge changes in terms of traditional ways of run- ning a classroom.” Students who are poor or living in isolated areas would be at the biggest dis- advantage, says Ortega. “It’s a well-known fact that students in schools located in underserved commu- nities do not have computers and can’t Continued on page 38 College of Education - Touro University, CA Empowering At-Risk Students A Conference for Educators and the Community Keynote Speaker: Dr. LaMar P. Miller Dean, College of Education, Touro College, NY Increasing Opportunities for At-Risk Students Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 1:00-6:30 pm Registration $50 ($40 before Oct. 1st) Breakout Sessions Include… • Building Student Resiliency • Empowering African-American Students • Understanding & Overcoming Prejudice • Special Needs of Students of Poverty • Autism Spectrum Disorder Panel • Understanding Hispanic Students • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Student Issues • Literacy & Reading to Empower At-Risk Students • Understanding Gang Cultures • Increasing Parental Involvement Offering credential programs and Masters degrees for educators Touro University-CA 1310 Johnson Lane, Mare Island Vallejo CA 94592 . www.tu.edu DIRECT: www.tu.edu/departments.php?id=40 For Information: 707.638.5971 or email sharon.kutasy@tu.edu First of a Four-Part Speakers Series Photo by Scott Buschman