Textbooks Toast in Texas

All I can say is it can’t happen soon enough. I love books. The feel of the printed page, the ability to scribble along the edges. Even sometimes its cheapness buying second hand. But –

The sea change could happen sooner rather than later, beginning as early as the 2010-11 school year.

“This is one of the few times we can do things cheaper, faster and better all at the same time,” said the measures author, state Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston.

The legislation is one of two bills passed this year that allow the Texas Education Agency to create its own repository of digital textbook content.

By switching to online content, schools could save money, customize materials to fit students needs and more easily integrate textbooks with video, software or other technology.

This month, the Texas Education Agency is taking the first step by calling for bids for online material from both traditional publishers and online content providers. Officials there expect to have the first open-source textbooks and other materials online for students next fall.

“We did have a publishers meeting last week, and spent three hours talking through the open-source and electronic textbook concepts with them,” said Anita Givens of the TEA instructional materials division.

The states move toward online content will affect other states too, since publishers tailor their products to conform to the needs of states with the most students.

But the price of a notebook you say!! Well yes if you buy the latest and greatest. But I can put you on a 10″ screen notebook today, new, for $199. Now it is not the fastest thing, but remember what it would be used for — mainly reading, taking notes, etc. That does not require massive compute power.

The State’s aim? More self reliance. Shared, self authored materials are possible with web & ebook technologies. Updates are quick. Teachers can pick the subcomponents they wish to emphasis for their classes. Oh and they can save money.

Linky.