I'm glad you asked; taking away textbooks isn't taking away books forever! And the thing with kids having bad handwriting is it is easily overcome-able by having writing class or something. My dad says learning should be done at home and homework should be done in class :) Peace
Schwartznegger didn't provide means for poor children to access computers. I strongly support the transition from schools to an emphasis on learning at home with online resources (You can choose teacher, pause, rewind, ask other students if you don't understand, do at your own pace, etc, online learning pwns) but he doesn't have this plan, he just wants to save $ and fuck the poor kids who can't afoard resources. He .cut college grants to poor -education is about bucks not brains-shows true self
Who gives a toss what Americans do in the USA and frankley what the fuck has it got to do with you ? I don't like you . You are opinunated ignorant and a show off. You are no one you are just another twit gobbing off on youtube spouting stats like facts and i think it is the height of rudness to slate California and Arnold when its none of you're concern at all. I despise you're Liberal views and I despise almost every word you say. In my ideal world people like you will be in camps !
For the children that can't access the internet at home, they can just print out the pages needed for that time and take them home... :x It still saves alot more money than than having a ton of text books which in later years get replaced and wasted by more up to date books.
It will save money but cant they tighten the states belt while not putting kids, the future generation of America, the ones that will lead our world somedays education at risk?
Regarding what u said about the education being more up 2 date may not b true as the internet can b filled with unreliable/biased views whereas actual textbooks need 2 b verified
Environmentally friendly is a plus but a rly shit reason 4 taking books away from kids It makes me oddly sad that the kids cant hav books
The plus to having on online text book is that they can continue to expound upon subjects such as history so we can see modern topics instead of the situation I am facing with my current textbook (stops at the beginning of the Cold War and includes a diagram on the back page how to duck under your desk incase of a bomb of the nuclear nature). Students need to have access to everything, be it the Battleof New Orleans or the election of Obama, in oder to understand what led us to today's events.
NO NO NO NO NO!! This idea is completely wrong. Any idiot can write anything on the Internet, a text book can be checked, vetted and then published.
It is the same question with architecture, why get rid of a system that has served us brilliantly over the years and then scrap it. You say computers are more environmentally friendly, what do they run on? Fresh air?
Yes I did think my comment through. Although text books would be published online, children would indirectly be encouraged to use, less appropriate sources.
The key word was indirectly, there is NOTHING, to stop them doing this at home for an easy life. Also why would they stop them doing it at schools. The state of Cali is trying to save money, not spend it by investing in extra safety methods online.
It's definitely a good step for California in terms of saving money since the state is broke. However, personally I hate relaying on the internet to complete homework. At my school, sometimes we would only know the homework if we looked online, or we had to complete worksheets/tests on a website. This was unreliable because we either couldnt access the file or the server would crash. I agree with KOTB when she says that there should be an option to choose between an onlinebook or a textbook.
Solution: Give CD copies of textbooks to student as opposed to an online version. And have backups paper ones if students don't have computers. The programs can be updated online. My previous school gave up textbooks with cds attached its easy and cheaper
This may be a good idea for elementary school texts and middle school text. However, beyond that I am sure that paper texts are preferable.
It is very, very hard to digest large amounts of information from a screen, and one also loses the ability to flip quickly between pages. Plus, books don't hinge on electricity and broadband being aviaible.
If I had to do my reading for my law degree from a screen rather than a book, I think I would have failed this year.
This is a good idea but there are things they could do to make it better. If we had textbooks on the computer that the teacher could bring up on an interactive white board that students can all work from I think it would work. For homework students could have a CDrom containing the textbook that doesn't need the internet. They could be changed each year and sent out to schools. At my school at the moment we have systems similar to this for the classroom in some subjects and it works well.
Is the state going to provide the necessary technology for this change? Is so, they will spend just as much, if not more, on equipping the schools. If not, the change will never work in the long run. I think it's a great idea to modernize American education, but not to save any money.
Just knowing the school systems here in Southern California as well as I do (I'm a teacher as is my mum), I know that most schools are not at all equipped for this kind of a change. Most schools have very few computers available, and most computers are very old, slow, and run down.
my uni is gradually putting more emphasis on working on the computer and internet. BUT a lot of people don't have the internet or maybe even a computer to access. My school provides computer and internet access.
As for california, I think they should spend some money on computers for every school in california. So students can use them at school if they dont have the resources at home.
Ooh, i dont think scrapping textbooks is a good idea. I know from experience that whenever classes use the computers, alls that the kids do is mess about on games or facebook and get very little learning done at all. I mean, i'm guilty as charged and im pretty well behaved. As for the unbehaved kids, theres no way theyll concentrate on learning. I dunno what its like in american schools, but that scheme would never work in britain.
i envy you, my set school set up a bunch of net restricting crap just before i left. everything like facebook, myspace and games and anything entertaining was blocked Dx
then some guys from the techy group figured out they could just download games and run them off USBs =p
This would almost require an essay response, which clearly can't be typed here.
I think that embracing a new way of teaching that might contribute to a more efficient classroom is fantastic. On the other hand, I wonder if transferring educational information to digital media is an entirely good idea. Kids are hooked up to technology almost 24-7 as it is, and it seems to me that this is just one more step toward an almost entirely vicarious life experience.
Anywho, I can see what you mean, also, how would the students work in class without textbooks? The school systems would have to pay billions to have enough computers in the rooms for everyone. And the one thing I'd miss would be the ease of flipping back the pages to check something.
1he should keep hard copies because the internet is obviously unstable.2)yes it does,but that would mean laptops or computers would be needed in the classroom at all times..possibly.3)they would miss out on simply working out of a book. books will turn into what walkmans are now,unused.
sure it's environmentally friendly but for fucks sake couldn't he find something else to cut.Our schools are hanging ona string in the first place. they'd have to spend all the money they save on new comps then
my teacher said that wouldnt be affected till 20 year and yess i agree with it would be grate for being green but i dont like what hes doing hes a idior and ii cant wait to leave california becouse of him
well I'm too late for the blogTV but here goes anyway: yes, there should definitely be a programme to get people onto broadband to support this initiative although it's ok if the kids get sufficient access at school (so that they can do homework there rather than at home). School textbooks are also notoriously biased, so there may come a time when American kids can read online the British version of their war of independence ;-)
It's an unfortunate fact that my state is about a month away from financial meltdown. The downside a phasing out traditional textbooks, like you mention, is that the poor who do not have access to the internet at home will be at a grave loss.
Well, I'm British but have done my high schooling in Canada (don't ask me how that happened lol), and I know that up here in Ontario the internet is in major use. We have only a few textbooks, which are occassionally meant to help with direct information, but are usually just a starting point. We usually use mostly internet resources (which have to be reliable) and library books. Thanks to having so few textbooks, it's cheap enough to be covered in the school budgets. It works perfectly for us.
Speaking as a high school student living in California, I'm not sure this is a very good idea. Text books seem to be working well for me. And I completely agree with the concern of not all kids having a computer to use. He's trying to fix something that isn't broken. Its just a really lame scheme that's trying to take back all the fuck ups the people who are running the budget made. Schools are always last priority in the California budget and it's baffling to me.
great video! if i had to pick a reason to hate living in california, i'd say our gov would be in the top five. a few more i can think of: taxes are insane, no jobs are available, we actually voted 'no' on gay marriage, some of our cities have the highest viloence rates in all of the united states...
I think it's a good idea, and it may save the government money, but like you said not everyone has internet access. I'm positive they wouldn't do, alongside this effort, a campaign to wire the whole state either. I'm guessing it would be infinitely more expensive. I can't remember but a University made an effort to buy a certain amount of students kindles, and they downloaded all of their material through that. I think that would be a good way to do it, and in the long run less expensive.
whats so wrong with trying to stop the amount of trees chopped down ? kids now do not know life before the internet so whats the big deal ? kids learn how to use a computer while being taught a lesson also saving the planet along the way .
Your title is actually hilarious. I had to pause the video to chuckle.
I think textbooks should stay, to be honest. It's worrying how much we're becoming dependant on technology. Some people can't have conversations face to face because they'd rather ring. I just don't think they should be abolished altogether.
I like it when you do the little bit at the end <3
I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, it is cheaper and will provide more accurate, up to date material but on the other hand I'm not sure it won't be distracting for kids to do homework on line.
You really can't replace the physical book. I do school over the internet at present, and I am really grateful for the physical book. Staring at a screen all day hurts my eyes, and I really hate READING for long periods on the screen.
I definitely see how it's beneficial, but I can't help worrying about our dependency on computers and electronic information. What happens if, for whatever reason, all our information becomes inaccessible?
I'm not so sure about your statistics. Californians are very much online as well as Americans in general. The vast majority of people are online and have online access at their local library systems as well.
(cont.)This would most likely lead to a generation too dependent on the Internet and a generation that relies on other things to figure stuff out for them. Also, if ALL the information is on a computer that could crash, well, that could be a problem. For years at my school, the teachers have been using a program on the computer to take attendance, and it always gets messed up or stops working. Basically, my issue is that we are becoming too dependent on something that has many faults in it.
I think that this change was bound to happen since technology is being used more and people are constantly trying to find ways to utilize it. I agree that it will use less paper and the Internet is more current.
On the other hand, computers can be too easy to find information. While now a student would only have access to a textbook and he/she would have to figure it out using just that book, using the Internet allows you to find information at the click of a mouse.
Is anyone worried about children's eyesight? An average child spends hours on the Internet. By putting textbooks online, we would be introducing more harm to their eyesight. Without regularly resting their eyes, more kids would be diagnosed with a higher prescription at the optometrist's office.
One thing I worry about is the systems going down. Our grades system is all online and it always has problems. It would be down for days, which is really annoying when you are as obssessive about grades as I am. Also, my school has a website and each teacher has a page that we often have to print notes off of for class the next day and things like that. That also goes down sometimes, screwing things up.
This is a point people have been bringing up, and it is a problem. We had a system at my Uni called WebCT that was down the first two weeks of my first semester. It was chaos and took over two weeks to get back to normal. I suppose it is just another hurdle we will have to overcome, and hope that improving technologies will make this less likely to happen.
Well I'm Irish so I don't pay TOO much attention to British politics but from what I have seen he seems like a good guy. At least better then the (for lack of a better word) TOSSERS running our country.
Of course, this 'scheme' as you call it will not happen over night. So over the time that it will take hold, people will be able to better adapt and find resources to use. And I don't believe future students will miss out much w/o text books, besides the extra weight in their backpacks and lockers. Personally, I get antsy when the need to turn a page is dispensed with but my friend, who goes to a school in TX where they don't use text books for some classes doesn't see a problem w/ it at all.
It is important to realise that this will be a process and not an overnight venture. However some people, without government aid, are simply not going to have the money to invest in online resources. I understand the public library system is very good in California, maybe investment in their online tools would help.
You know, internet is going to become even more mass produced, just like every other technological invention. When the phone first came out, no one believed it would ever be in such wide spread use as it is today. Because of it's expenses and unattainability. And here, there's not a household without one.
Well we think online resources are environmentally friendly. But are they really? Servers use electricity constantly and we currently get this energy mostly from non-renewable resources.
HOWEVER, I agree that online would be better as it is so much easier and faster to access the things you want on demand. I believe the money saved could be diverted to a 'better' cause of helping the less privileged pupils get access to the Internet and laptops etc.. Hmm.. Any thoughts? Cool video!
That is a very very good point about electronics. I would be interested in seeing research into which would reduce negative environmental impact long term.
internet would save the state money but the 45% of people who don't already have broadband will have to spend money to comply with the new rules of public education. if the state won't provide computers and internet for those that don't have them, i can't see how this is fair.
i do think its a good idea but it should be done when there isn't a financial crisis. california can find another way to cut expenses for now but burdening citizens that can't afford the internet is unacceptable.
there is a public taboo on making cuts in education, a taboo which quite frankly I agree with. As a money saving scheme I think it is horrifically flawed.
just a point for those saying its environmentally freindly, computers take a lot of energy to run. Forests on the other hand can be replanted.
I cant decide whether im for against this scheme though. On the one hand I do most of my learning on the net, yet on the other textbooks are always a source to go to for reliable information which you know is on the sylabus. so im not sure really.
In general it sounds like a good idea, but the other thing I would be concerned about is how well different students respond to different learning techniques. For instance, boys generally learn better from interactive methods like this, yet girls often choose books and written notes over electronic learning. Surely then it would be better if students could choose which to use, so that they had the chance to achieve their academic potential.
I think, were this to be fully embraced, new teaching methods would have to be researched to reap the full potential of on line resources. The preferences of individual learners obviously being key.
perhaps they should give children the option of an online resource or a text book. That way those who do not have internet access at home can choose a text book. Those who do can choose to use the online resource. And there may also be people who just prefer and can learn more efficiently from books that you can physically hold and look at rather than a computer screen. This would still save money and trees because less text books would be made.
As long as students have access to public computers like in libraries and school, I don't see the problem with them not having Internet at home is. It just means teachers will have to take that into account when they assign homework. I definitely think it's a step in the right direction.
I've had to deal with notes and text books through the internet, and though I truly do not like reading off of a screen, i understand this will be, one day, a paperless world, and that fact i'll have to get used to.
But if they plan on doing this wide scale, what they really have to do is get their act together on keeping their sites functional. My COLLEGE was incapacitated by it's own website's malfunction during finals week and registration. Teachers and students alike were in utter chaos.
Haha, those topics shall one day get a video of their own. I just had a lot to say in my response to yours and didn't want to crowd it with unrelated topics (such as attempted book bannings and comic book character marriages).
Hmmmm... maybe supplying all the students with kindles. They are a bit expensive for my ity bity personal budget, but I would imagin they could be bought in bulk a bit more reasonable, and could be turned back in at the end of the year. Just an ity bity thought to match my ity bity budget ... and mind.
I had honestly never heard of Kinles before people commented on their use. They seem exciting. You can also get cartridges for Nintendo DSs that allow you to read books.
It's uncertain in any situation when you can only rely on one form of anything. Whether it be fuels or school resources.
Like you pointed out this does ot only leave this pupils without a internet connection at home disadvantaged but those in areas where schools are poorly funded or the computers are not up to scratch will also be affected.
If the scheme had been put in place by slowly starting to upgrade computers and phase out textbooks it would be more viable.
I think that it would be OK to use computers in some subjects, but I would still perfer to use books because I don't want to get too dependet on computers. Books ar just to... simple and easy to use.
Eh. It's neither good, nor bad to me. My only concern is the one that you mentioned about in your video is people who don't have internet access. Those kids will be disadvantaged. I think also that having the text physically in front of you, as apposed to online is better, simply because you can highlight and make notes...though I suppose you can print the text out...
you can technically still highlight and make notes on computers, although it takes longer and tends to be more messy. Speaking of messy, what the hell is going to happen to kids' handwriting?
You right. Though there's something to be said about physically doing something to remember it rather than electronically. The plus is less stuff, the con is distraction.
Oh, it'll definitely go to the can. Though it wasn't that great to begin with. Teacher's don't spend too much time on handwriting in the first place.
I don't know, I think the internet works, but i think using a mixture of internet and textbooks would be better because I know that i get distracted when i'm online also having student used computers in every classroom would cost alot. i dont know. =/
There is also a huge stigma still attached to using internet resources in the academic world. We need to work to making them more viable and reliable. We cannot rely on Wikipedia to do this for us.
The statistics you cite include ALL Californians, not households-with-kids-in-public schools. If California stops using textbooks the decline in demand will result in a decline in textbook prices, allowing those without internet to buy textbooks that cover the course material. Students can also access computers for free at any public library throughout the day.
Textbooks online are very annoying. You have to wait ages before professors upload it and even then you have to print it out (unless you study it on your computer but that's not very comfy) so it's not exactly environmentally friendly. In the end, it'll cost the student far more than to just release them as textbooks. We've had this system for quite a while and it just doesn't really work. At least not in favor of the student.
I think this Idea is not that bad, but it doesnt work the way it is planned. If they would follow the example of Estonia, or better Tallin than it would be possible, because the complete city which is the captial of estonia has wirless internet and that for free.
If these circumstances and a internet school-database which provides the same information as the school books were given that project would be quite good.
It's probably the future of education to go from books to digital devices, but I'm thinking Kindle-like technology more than just the internet. Every kid should have a device that can access your reading material, as well as form simple computer duties on which assignments can be done.
This is an act of desperation for Arnold. Generally though when a community is having a money crunch, they hold off on buying new textbooks instead of converting to an entirely new system of doing things.
We paid a rental fee on the book's. In Utah. i dont know if other states had the rental fee. But it paid for the new books or went in some ones pocket.
Hahah, I've missed this so much! Watching the news just isnt the same without you commenting on it!
In terms of what I think, I can definatly see both sides. I think its probobly a good idea for primary schools but less so for more advanced stages of education: where revision is important.
Q2) Yes it does have potential, but only if handled correctly
Q3) I know it's not big loss, and one probably considered good by the teaching proffession, but the students will miss out on generations of graffitti
i dont really like that, i mean its good in theory(not taking into account all those ppl dont have inernet) but i personally hate the idea of it, cause i just love any and all books. you can write in them and make notes in the margins and you cant do that on the computer, i found adding things to your books is a really good way of remembering them. but it does have potential maybe not now but def in the future when moreppl have access to internet, books do come in cdroms now though, same same?
Phasing out textbooks seems okay, but completely getting rid of them? Cold turkey? Not that I like textbooks very much, but seriously. Even if the information was simply on a computer program, there would still be a lot of problems. Many families only have one computer. Imagine having several people needing to reference their information at once? It's just a mess with our current state of things. Maybe we'll all be better connected and tech-nified in the near future, but as it is, this is bad.
Not everyone can get Internet. The part of California I live at hardly any of the kids own a computer and can afford to go anywhere where they can use the Internet.
so many kids drop out of school, its even worse if they dont have $. the education in the US is what has set it apart from the rest of the world in alot of ways not only the quality but also the cheepness colleges excluded, and now its all going to hell. this wont help the education system at all, if your going to cut back just please dont do it in schools. i just transfered to a private school because the school i was at was so crappy because of the lack of funding. education should matter!
I have some of my textbooks available online as well as a hard copy. I find it a lot harder to concentrate and comprehend when it's on my computer (it doesn't help getting distracted by facebook either). It is quite handy, however, if I happen to forget my textbook in my locker...
Also, i dont understand how he expects kids to learn IN school while their books and info are only accessible online. I would use my book to do in class assignments all the time, and i can ASSURE you, that every classroom in every school in Cali cannot afford a computer for every kid to be able to use thier books online. As a long term goal, i think the paperless books are great, but schools just dont have the funding right now.
Dear Ah-nohld...what a load of shit! I understand that this initiative will save money and trees. However, there are so many reasons as to why this is a bad idea. Like you said, Jazza, not every student has internet access at home. Even so, how about when these students aren't at home? For student athletes, I know they like to study while on the bus on the way to sporting events.
Even if a student has a laptop, the world isn't completely wireless. In addition, I tend to absorb material better when I'm reading it out of a textbook. I get easily distracted and tend to skim more when I'm reading things online. I'm not sure if it's habit, comfort, or what, but it's what I do. Maybe there could be options for students, like being able to choose the textbook or the digital edition?
Of course, there is also a problem of the student to computer ratios in schools. If all of the books are online how is a school going to have enough computers to support this? Also, how will classroom learning work? If something needs to be read in a classroom, you're killing just as many trees to print the pages out for students so they don't have to be on a computer in class.
speaking as a girl who just graduated a high school that could barely afford to buy new paper, i think this is a good idea in theory, but not right for the current situation. in my environmental class, we had an online counterpart to out book, but still had a regular book, and i liked that, because it didnt sit me in front of the computer for hours reading and studying. i could study in my bed, or on the couch. And there are others in my house too that wouldnt want me to monopolize
i think that the ultimate conversion from textbooks to either online resources or textbooks in CD format is imminent. i think that a digital format is also highly preferable to printed books. it's of course cheaper & more environmentally friendly & easily updated as you said. but also, from a student's point of view, now we won't have to carry around obscenely heavy books. that way you'll only feel the mental weight of the work rather than the physical as well. :)
In Florida there is Florida Virtual School which is a complete middle school, high school, and even an elementary school in some counties, so I believe in online education. However, I would never want to trade in all of my textbooks for computer screens. The Internet definitely has the potential to revolutionize education all over the world.
I think I would rather have the books and I have broadband. You bring the most interesting subjects to us and the do make one think and take interest,
as a resident of california, and just having left high school a few years ago i think its a bad idea...first off students need textbooks when in school, but you cant bring laptops to school soo..how would that work? and many schools dont have a lot of computers so thats not gonna work...also personally i have hw online for school and i get distracted really easily... so having textbooks online i think that students will spend more time on facebook or w/e then actually reading their school books
my whole school uses laptops now, so basically we all had to buy ourselves a laptop and we use it in class. The thing is, a lot of the students at school use there laptops to play around instead of doing the work they're supposed to be doing. It's a good idea when you say it out loud but there are still a few flaws.
but i cant help but think that being on the internet wood be a distraction
when im at school if we iever use computers all the kids just speed thru watever we are doing and then go on youtube or their emails and just message eachother for the rest of class
We should expand on the idea of not using textbooks. Like, for instance, let's not use "Textbook Examples" anymore.
Like cancel math classes and start employing the children in government offices that uses math. Basic Math gets you assigned to a cash register, while Geometry gets you a desk job in the accounting office.
History gets you jobs at museums, Science puts you in state parks & as guinea pigs at universities.
i don't like the idea so much. i think most people would get distracted from doing their work when they could easily go onto some social networking site, instead of doing homework. and what would happen to all the lockers. i mean lockers are for school books. and i know some people use them for other things, but a lot of people, including myself, only use them for textbooks. so there would be a lot of empty lockers. and i'm sure schools wouldn't want to spend the money trying to get rid of them.
I like the option of online resources OR textbooks. Use what you can/want. I think schools should also think about renting/selling e-book readers. No paper, easy to update, portable, and no internet distractions.
most of the school books my school uses has an online verson that way I don't have to take my books home, but I have it if I really need it. I think the idea of the online book is so there can be more books in the class room. also if students where to use the online book there would be less of a chance for books to be lost/stollen/valdalized/ect. and it would save the school board money on replacing them. also for kids who don't have internet, they can just give them a book.
Yes - and the book you're using for class won't be older than your parents either. My high school class got the rough end of the deal - we were always the class that used the text book last, they would be replaced for the class after us. We got to use the ratty books that were all written in and falling apart.
If any school is without computers in this day and age, and that school isn't in a third world country, then that school has failed its community and needs to be closed - send the kids to the next closest school that actually knows how to run properly - kids need to learn how to use computers.
As far as not having them at home, I believe that most homes that don't have them are located in an urban area, an area where there should be a public library with computers & free Internet access.
That's all well and good if a school has an unlimited budget but unless you know the financial circumstances of all of the schools without computers I don't see how you can be so cut and dry about what to do with them.
It's hard enough getting children to use the textbooks they have in their house, do you really think low socioeconomic homes (those without computers) are going to have parents with enough time to take their children to the library everyday.
The simple truth is that a high school education should most definitely require computer training. Computer literacy is absolutely essential in this day and age, and computers should already be in the schools. If there are still schools without computers they're only doing a disservice to their students by remaining open.
As far as at home? Like I said, use the public library. If the kids can manage to go to the mall on their own I'm sure they can make it to the library.
My point is you're speaking from a very entitled position. It is not as simple as "buy computers and internet access for your students or close" because some schools just can not afford it. The fault here is not with the school but with the state's funding of schools. The short fall in finances is made up by parents paying fees in many schools, if your school is in a poor area then the parents can't pay and you can't afford computers and the internet.
If that we true I would be sympathetic. However I do not believe that any school cannot afford to have computers. There are things that they can do in order to get computers into the classroom. Goodwill for instance has old computers donated to it every day. Businesses get new computers - requisition the old ones and refit them for the school. Take the money you're saving on textbooks and use it for the computers, up-front cost yes but its not recurring.
Do you think its right for schools to be graduating students who have no computer skills whatsoever? I think we are at such a point that for our students to be employable they should know how to use a computer. In fact at this point it shouldn't even be a question of whether they're being used in high schools but rather how young can we begin teaching computer skills.
I don't think it's good to have children graduating without computer skills but if it's decided that they must have these skills before graduating then it is the responsibility of the state to ensure that the resources are available.I don't like the idea that we can add whatever we like to a school's curriculum but provide no extra support.
I think you'd be surprised that most schools most likely are already equipped by now. I do agree that the state should support initiatives like this, and like I explained earlier it needn't necessitate things like higher taxes - its all within reach.
remind me next time to copy my comments before posting! I made a nice, long comment with amazing points but it didn't post. :/ ugh. oh well. The highlights=my school makes us buy macs or ibm computers when we enter high-school to use to take notes and have class with. our science classes are completely "green" making all homework, tests, etc computerized. I think Schwarz made a good move, but who is going to pay for those computers? Is this going to lead to a "Farenheight 451" type scenario?
As long as schools have good facilities in their libraries, and as long as kids can access them after school, then I don't think it matters if they don't have the net at home.
I'm a 15 year old in San Diego, Cal. and I'm against this only because I don't any teen is going to study online while MySpace, FaceBook, Twitter, and YouTube are right there.
Not that I have anything against them, school and social networking just shouldn't be put together like that
Hahaha an Arnie accent would have been incredible. As always Jazza, your video made me think. I think he could have not done this at all. To save money, just cut back on spending, but not eliminate textbooks completely! I love textbooks and tangible things such as books and newspapers and it is very sad that we all want to get rid of these resources. I guess it will revolutionize teaching in public schools, but it's not a revolation in a positive direction. They will miss out on tradtional ed.
I don't think it's a good idea. I always get distracted when using the computer. I prefer reading when trying to learn. However learning would be much more up to date and gives the opportunity to experiment with different ways of learning.
I know that the OLPC project was intended for mainly third world countries, but maybe this would have been a good thing to tie in with the online textbook idea.
Now I'm not saying they should buy the laptops and let the children keep them, but if they are loaned out to the children for the year it could in the long run cut down on costs. After all it takes very little computing power to connect to the internet and therefore little need to upgrade them.
Hmm. Here in Texas...as far as I know, teachers will if possible give options to the students for choosing whether to have textbooks on a cd or an actual textbook. It's a nice and less heavy resource to carry around school, however I myself prefer the security of actually having the textbook in my hands. It's not running the risk of losing the cd or scratching it that makes me feel better. The cd concept would unfortunately be unacceptable to the Amish population. xD
This past year I had a teacher who swore that in the coming years every student would have their own laptop they could use at school. This is a lovely idea but I don't see it happing any time soon. Unless my teacher's prediction comes true soon, it sounds like a number of these kids will be without any resources both at school and at home.
I like the fact that this plan would be environmentally friendly and help the states budget as well as progress education further using the internet as a teaching source. Two things bother me about this plan, though. You mentioned the first one: not all students have internet access in their own homes, making it incredibly difficult for them to do work at home. Even if every student had internet access at home, Id still be left wondering what resources would be used in the classroom.
wow more green my ass the use of computers and the stuff it takes to build them and the trash u end up with when there useless after only a few years is far me demanding on the eath then the use of wood to make books and throwing away a clean paper book when it is trashed out DOH
any one that thinks the use of computers is greener then books is nuts any way what about the power it taks to run the computers wow
For years I've noticed that many innovations begin in California, spread through the rest of the USA, and eventually make it to Europe. Not that every innovation is necessarily a good thing in the long run. (The long run ends in a factory in China.)
I am currently a high school student in southern California, and about 60% percent of my classmates are on the discounted lunch/breakfast program. Presently, my school has only 40 computers available for the over 3.5 thousand students to use. Most of these are Windows XP or 98, and some still use floppy disks. If the governator expects this to work, than something must be done about the minimal availability of computers, not only at home, but in the schools themselves.
To get everyone internet at home is a serious challenge, so internet at the schools would be a better alternative. how much will the state spend on new computers for all the schools like this one? and what about a few years later when the computers don't work as well anymore? Also, if a students only connection to these online textbooks is at school, as it would be in this situation, won't people just end up printing most of it out?
i think that its a great idea but that some people will have a hard time with it due to their inability to use the internet at home. i also have a bit of an issue with it because almost too much stuff is available online now. people are beginning to lose appreciation for printed things.
I don't know much about it. At my school in Nebraska, we have laptops given to us for the school year, thus our teachers tend to use more online resources. my past year there i only had one textbook, and i didn't even use it because we had the online resource.
I wish I could be at the blogtv show. I think it's great people are thinking about going this direction, the infrastructure required to make this happen effectively and efficiently doesn't exist. You won't just need computers in one lab in the school, you'll need so many more for in-class instruction. Additionally, I see things like problem sets being printed out for every student instead to deal with lack of home computers. And public libraries (free internet) won't be able to handle the need.
an interesting topic, since i live on the other side of the states, i have no knowledge of this happening and i was surprised. The main point having to be is if this is justified there being children who are not able to access the internet, its a necessity that their voices are heard. This then leads to if the money being "saved" by this movement will end up just going to those who need a laptop and internet just to be able to now learn on this new medium. i applaud it though, lighter backpacks
at 0:13 it sounds like his is saying "Mr. Schwarzenegger signed".I think before Schwarzenegger seals the deal (which he pretty much did by signing that executive order) or before he does anything official.He should issue to the public the "online resources" he is planning to use,if maybe he is planning for textbook companies to convert into website form.I know this is about saving money, but this could end an entire industry (in CA) and that last thing the US needs is more people out of the job.
I think it's a pretty cool idea, but along the same lines as you had that not everyone has access to the internet at home, are they going to give every student a computer to use during school as they would a textbook? That could get pretty costly if they have to buy every student a computer to use.
I think getting Calfornia connected should have been the first act.
I think computers are becoming a bigger and bigger part of education, rather than revolutionising education, this is just part of the evolution.
The only disadvantage I can think of is a reduction in oportunities to practice handwriting rather than typing. But typing is probably a more important skill nowadays.
I'm still waiting for a robot invasion to happen in California and Arnold Schwarzenegger to just kick butt. That's the real reason people voted for him right?
This seems to be a good proposition. I would love for the university I go to to get rid of textbooks. It would save me hundreds. But when you mention the families who don't have the internet available in their homes it does pose a problem. It's hard to say whether I am totally for or against this legislation I guess time will tell.
Your videos are extremely insightful, I absolutely love them! It's such a pity we can only write 500 characters to actually discuss these issues :(
However, I still have some more characters to ask you a couple of questions: are your videos scripted? or are you just that eloquent and well-spoken naturally?
I'm glad you asked; taking away textbooks isn't taking away books forever! And the thing with kids having bad handwriting is it is easily overcome-able by having writing class or something. My dad says learning should be done at home and homework should be done in class :) Peace
CrazedPogostik 1 year ago
Schwartznegger didn't provide means for poor children to access computers. I strongly support the transition from schools to an emphasis on learning at home with online resources (You can choose teacher, pause, rewind, ask other students if you don't understand, do at your own pace, etc, online learning pwns) but he doesn't have this plan, he just wants to save $ and fuck the poor kids who can't afoard resources. He .cut college grants to poor -education is about bucks not brains-shows true self
unassumption 1 year ago
Dazza is a radical homosexual socialist. Go to hell dog. Christian Muslims and Jews hate you! Down with the gay and lesbian mafia! Ha Ha!
Stay out of California politics you British radical homosexual. We don't need you. BTW you got the story wrong. Idiot.
Dazza knows one thing sucking Dick.
tryanjohnson 1 year ago
Who gives a toss what Americans do in the USA and frankley what the fuck has it got to do with you ? I don't like you . You are opinunated ignorant and a show off. You are no one you are just another twit gobbing off on youtube spouting stats like facts and i think it is the height of rudness to slate California and Arnold when its none of you're concern at all. I despise you're Liberal views and I despise almost every word you say. In my ideal world people like you will be in camps !
LtPapercliip 2 years ago
haha narrow-minded much?
PreciousChaos29 2 years ago
For the children that can't access the internet at home, they can just print out the pages needed for that time and take them home... :x It still saves alot more money than than having a ton of text books which in later years get replaced and wasted by more up to date books.
trixyimi 2 years ago
Research "learning outside the classroom". Print is dead! - Igor Ghostbusters!
roverspaul 2 years ago
It will save money but cant they tighten the states belt while not putting kids, the future generation of America, the ones that will lead our world somedays education at risk?
Regarding what u said about the education being more up 2 date may not b true as the internet can b filled with unreliable/biased views whereas actual textbooks need 2 b verified
Environmentally friendly is a plus but a rly shit reason 4 taking books away from kids It makes me oddly sad that the kids cant hav books
VictoriaDashwood 2 years ago
The plus to having on online text book is that they can continue to expound upon subjects such as history so we can see modern topics instead of the situation I am facing with my current textbook (stops at the beginning of the Cold War and includes a diagram on the back page how to duck under your desk incase of a bomb of the nuclear nature). Students need to have access to everything, be it the Battleof New Orleans or the election of Obama, in oder to understand what led us to today's events.
hannamayh 2 years ago
Blimey imagine that dude trying to spell his name at the age of six :S
I AGREE WITH YOU 110 % and i think your funny im going to subscribe :D
fariha14 2 years ago
I posted a video response but it hasn't come up yet.
JustMyTwoPence 2 years ago
NO NO NO NO NO!! This idea is completely wrong. Any idiot can write anything on the Internet, a text book can be checked, vetted and then published.
It is the same question with architecture, why get rid of a system that has served us brilliantly over the years and then scrap it. You say computers are more environmentally friendly, what do they run on? Fresh air?
Ohyewildthong 2 years ago 8
Ohyewildthong , he wasn't talking about using wikipedia - he's talking about officially sanctioned online resources.
In other words, textbooks...that have been published online....make sense?
You can actually make official documents that go on the internet that require sign ins and such....
Really didn't think your comment through did you?
tomgftw1 2 years ago
Yes I did think my comment through. Although text books would be published online, children would indirectly be encouraged to use, less appropriate sources.
Ohyewildthong 2 years ago
You understand that strict controls can be enforced right?
So that the only thing they could go on would be online official resources.
tomgftw1 2 years ago
The key word was indirectly, there is NOTHING, to stop them doing this at home for an easy life. Also why would they stop them doing it at schools. The state of Cali is trying to save money, not spend it by investing in extra safety methods online.
Ohyewildthong 2 years ago
a) I went a whole year once without doing a single piece of maths homework...that was textbook work.... So if i can do it, so can anyone else.
b) Kids screw around anyway, no matter what method you use - there will always be ones who get around it... I know i'd end up finding a way.
c) Investing in extra security is a given. It wouldn't cost a lot....at all....they'd still be saving copious amounts of money.
tomgftw1 2 years ago
It's definitely a good step for California in terms of saving money since the state is broke. However, personally I hate relaying on the internet to complete homework. At my school, sometimes we would only know the homework if we looked online, or we had to complete worksheets/tests on a website. This was unreliable because we either couldnt access the file or the server would crash. I agree with KOTB when she says that there should be an option to choose between an onlinebook or a textbook.
nowayy92 2 years ago
Solution: Give CD copies of textbooks to student as opposed to an online version. And have backups paper ones if students don't have computers. The programs can be updated online. My previous school gave up textbooks with cds attached its easy and cheaper
UberSciFiNerd 2 years ago
And if they don't have computers??
JustMyTwoPence 2 years ago
This may be a good idea for elementary school texts and middle school text. However, beyond that I am sure that paper texts are preferable.
It is very, very hard to digest large amounts of information from a screen, and one also loses the ability to flip quickly between pages. Plus, books don't hinge on electricity and broadband being aviaible.
If I had to do my reading for my law degree from a screen rather than a book, I think I would have failed this year.
JoelJoel321 2 years ago
This is a good idea but there are things they could do to make it better. If we had textbooks on the computer that the teacher could bring up on an interactive white board that students can all work from I think it would work. For homework students could have a CDrom containing the textbook that doesn't need the internet. They could be changed each year and sent out to schools. At my school at the moment we have systems similar to this for the classroom in some subjects and it works well.
stephable1121 2 years ago
SchwarzeNIGGA?
Good video but everytime you said that I couldn't not smile xD
CrashBangAdam 2 years ago 6
I started to write this exact same comment but then I scrolled and saw yours. So, I'll just second this.
XxXTaylorLaineXxX 2 years ago
loool
iCancelledSchool 2 years ago
I notice the kanji in the background....kool
Anglicain 2 years ago
Is the state going to provide the necessary technology for this change? Is so, they will spend just as much, if not more, on equipping the schools. If not, the change will never work in the long run. I think it's a great idea to modernize American education, but not to save any money.
Jenniferiffic 2 years ago
well said !
pataitowaffle 2 years ago
Just knowing the school systems here in Southern California as well as I do (I'm a teacher as is my mum), I know that most schools are not at all equipped for this kind of a change. Most schools have very few computers available, and most computers are very old, slow, and run down.
tireddragonfly 2 years ago
very interesting. I agree
McFlyHelpsMe 2 years ago
my uni is gradually putting more emphasis on working on the computer and internet. BUT a lot of people don't have the internet or maybe even a computer to access. My school provides computer and internet access.
As for california, I think they should spend some money on computers for every school in california. So students can use them at school if they dont have the resources at home.
jesherka 2 years ago
Ooh, i dont think scrapping textbooks is a good idea. I know from experience that whenever classes use the computers, alls that the kids do is mess about on games or facebook and get very little learning done at all. I mean, i'm guilty as charged and im pretty well behaved. As for the unbehaved kids, theres no way theyll concentrate on learning. I dunno what its like in american schools, but that scheme would never work in britain.
srs013 2 years ago
i envy you, my set school set up a bunch of net restricting crap just before i left. everything like facebook, myspace and games and anything entertaining was blocked Dx
then some guys from the techy group figured out they could just download games and run them off USBs =p
Qw3rtypop 2 years ago
This would almost require an essay response, which clearly can't be typed here.
I think that embracing a new way of teaching that might contribute to a more efficient classroom is fantastic. On the other hand, I wonder if transferring educational information to digital media is an entirely good idea. Kids are hooked up to technology almost 24-7 as it is, and it seems to me that this is just one more step toward an almost entirely vicarious life experience.
Smogget 2 years ago
Your glasses remind me of lab safety glasses.
Anywho, I can see what you mean, also, how would the students work in class without textbooks? The school systems would have to pay billions to have enough computers in the rooms for everyone. And the one thing I'd miss would be the ease of flipping back the pages to check something.
Cadisawi 2 years ago
1he should keep hard copies because the internet is obviously unstable.2)yes it does,but that would mean laptops or computers would be needed in the classroom at all times..possibly.3)they would miss out on simply working out of a book. books will turn into what walkmans are now,unused.
sure it's environmentally friendly but for fucks sake couldn't he find something else to cut.Our schools are hanging ona string in the first place. they'd have to spend all the money they save on new comps then
tigrissapphire915 2 years ago
my teacher said that wouldnt be affected till 20 year and yess i agree with it would be grate for being green but i dont like what hes doing hes a idior and ii cant wait to leave california becouse of him
jjjjssss7777 2 years ago
Inside of lybrays are there not comouters?
CaptinRedRibbon 2 years ago
well I'm too late for the blogTV but here goes anyway: yes, there should definitely be a programme to get people onto broadband to support this initiative although it's ok if the kids get sufficient access at school (so that they can do homework there rather than at home). School textbooks are also notoriously biased, so there may come a time when American kids can read online the British version of their war of independence ;-)
Marcomanseckisax 2 years ago
the continuous hand gestures make me happy...
InsightToInsanity 2 years ago
to improve the scheme he could let it be optional - so they could pay for people who have no internet to have textbooks.
darkangelforce 2 years ago
It's an unfortunate fact that my state is about a month away from financial meltdown. The downside a phasing out traditional textbooks, like you mention, is that the poor who do not have access to the internet at home will be at a grave loss.
MustafaPresents 2 years ago
Well, I'm British but have done my high schooling in Canada (don't ask me how that happened lol), and I know that up here in Ontario the internet is in major use. We have only a few textbooks, which are occassionally meant to help with direct information, but are usually just a starting point. We usually use mostly internet resources (which have to be reliable) and library books. Thanks to having so few textbooks, it's cheap enough to be covered in the school budgets. It works perfectly for us.
LuvGlamRock 2 years ago
Speaking as a high school student living in California, I'm not sure this is a very good idea. Text books seem to be working well for me. And I completely agree with the concern of not all kids having a computer to use. He's trying to fix something that isn't broken. Its just a really lame scheme that's trying to take back all the fuck ups the people who are running the budget made. Schools are always last priority in the California budget and it's baffling to me.
WorldofWit 2 years ago
great video! if i had to pick a reason to hate living in california, i'd say our gov would be in the top five. a few more i can think of: taxes are insane, no jobs are available, we actually voted 'no' on gay marriage, some of our cities have the highest viloence rates in all of the united states...
julescavalier 2 years ago
I think it's a good idea, and it may save the government money, but like you said not everyone has internet access. I'm positive they wouldn't do, alongside this effort, a campaign to wire the whole state either. I'm guessing it would be infinitely more expensive. I can't remember but a University made an effort to buy a certain amount of students kindles, and they downloaded all of their material through that. I think that would be a good way to do it, and in the long run less expensive.
mrjohnnylipps 2 years ago
whats so wrong with trying to stop the amount of trees chopped down ? kids now do not know life before the internet so whats the big deal ? kids learn how to use a computer while being taught a lesson also saving the planet along the way .
uhaan1 2 years ago
Your title is actually hilarious. I had to pause the video to chuckle.
I think textbooks should stay, to be honest. It's worrying how much we're becoming dependant on technology. Some people can't have conversations face to face because they'd rather ring. I just don't think they should be abolished altogether.
I like it when you do the little bit at the end <3
BethOnTop 2 years ago
Yes, I'm proud of you for refraining from doing an accent.
While saving money is a good thing, moving everything to the computer is a bad idea. Ink on paper is much better for reading.
maniacalmike 2 years ago
I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, it is cheaper and will provide more accurate, up to date material but on the other hand I'm not sure it won't be distracting for kids to do homework on line.
Agriking 2 years ago
bad idea. i find it really hard doing homework on the internet cos i can just go on youtube or play a game or something and get distracted
MrsNerdfighter 2 years ago
You really can't replace the physical book. I do school over the internet at present, and I am really grateful for the physical book. Staring at a screen all day hurts my eyes, and I really hate READING for long periods on the screen.
IAmTheBookie 2 years ago
Not sure how I feel...
I definitely see how it's beneficial, but I can't help worrying about our dependency on computers and electronic information. What happens if, for whatever reason, all our information becomes inaccessible?
spectrem 2 years ago
I'm not so sure about your statistics. Californians are very much online as well as Americans in general. The vast majority of people are online and have online access at their local library systems as well.
thatsJoetastic 2 years ago
haha I like the 'or cents'
kickinkat16 2 years ago
(cont.)This would most likely lead to a generation too dependent on the Internet and a generation that relies on other things to figure stuff out for them. Also, if ALL the information is on a computer that could crash, well, that could be a problem. For years at my school, the teachers have been using a program on the computer to take attendance, and it always gets messed up or stops working. Basically, my issue is that we are becoming too dependent on something that has many faults in it.
xvictoriaxrose 2 years ago
I think that this change was bound to happen since technology is being used more and people are constantly trying to find ways to utilize it. I agree that it will use less paper and the Internet is more current.
On the other hand, computers can be too easy to find information. While now a student would only have access to a textbook and he/she would have to figure it out using just that book, using the Internet allows you to find information at the click of a mouse.
xvictoriaxrose 2 years ago
Is anyone worried about children's eyesight? An average child spends hours on the Internet. By putting textbooks online, we would be introducing more harm to their eyesight. Without regularly resting their eyes, more kids would be diagnosed with a higher prescription at the optometrist's office.
shoppinggirl125 2 years ago
internetted lol
CarlViola 2 years ago
One thing I worry about is the systems going down. Our grades system is all online and it always has problems. It would be down for days, which is really annoying when you are as obssessive about grades as I am. Also, my school has a website and each teacher has a page that we often have to print notes off of for class the next day and things like that. That also goes down sometimes, screwing things up.
theloonyluna 2 years ago
This is a point people have been bringing up, and it is a problem. We had a system at my Uni called WebCT that was down the first two weeks of my first semester. It was chaos and took over two weeks to get back to normal. I suppose it is just another hurdle we will have to overcome, and hope that improving technologies will make this less likely to happen.
rhymingwithoranges 2 years ago
YAY TONY BLAIRE!
LisaTwamley08 2 years ago
One of the only people I have spoken to to be so animated about him.
lol
rhymingwithoranges 2 years ago
Well I'm Irish so I don't pay TOO much attention to British politics but from what I have seen he seems like a good guy. At least better then the (for lack of a better word) TOSSERS running our country.
LisaTwamley08 2 years ago
Of course, this 'scheme' as you call it will not happen over night. So over the time that it will take hold, people will be able to better adapt and find resources to use. And I don't believe future students will miss out much w/o text books, besides the extra weight in their backpacks and lockers. Personally, I get antsy when the need to turn a page is dispensed with but my friend, who goes to a school in TX where they don't use text books for some classes doesn't see a problem w/ it at all.
therealpheebs 2 years ago
It is important to realise that this will be a process and not an overnight venture. However some people, without government aid, are simply not going to have the money to invest in online resources. I understand the public library system is very good in California, maybe investment in their online tools would help.
rhymingwithoranges 2 years ago
You know, internet is going to become even more mass produced, just like every other technological invention. When the phone first came out, no one believed it would ever be in such wide spread use as it is today. Because of it's expenses and unattainability. And here, there's not a household without one.
therealpheebs 2 years ago
Well we think online resources are environmentally friendly. But are they really? Servers use electricity constantly and we currently get this energy mostly from non-renewable resources.
HOWEVER, I agree that online would be better as it is so much easier and faster to access the things you want on demand. I believe the money saved could be diverted to a 'better' cause of helping the less privileged pupils get access to the Internet and laptops etc.. Hmm.. Any thoughts? Cool video!
locksleynet 2 years ago
That is a very very good point about electronics. I would be interested in seeing research into which would reduce negative environmental impact long term.
I agree with your 'however' :)
rhymingwithoranges 2 years ago
internet would save the state money but the 45% of people who don't already have broadband will have to spend money to comply with the new rules of public education. if the state won't provide computers and internet for those that don't have them, i can't see how this is fair.
i do think its a good idea but it should be done when there isn't a financial crisis. california can find another way to cut expenses for now but burdening citizens that can't afford the internet is unacceptable.
nyera12 2 years ago
there is a public taboo on making cuts in education, a taboo which quite frankly I agree with. As a money saving scheme I think it is horrifically flawed.
rhymingwithoranges 2 years ago
i think so as well, seeing as public education is lacking in many areas to begin with. i meant cuts in some other form of goverment spending.
nyera12 2 years ago
just a point for those saying its environmentally freindly, computers take a lot of energy to run. Forests on the other hand can be replanted.
I cant decide whether im for against this scheme though. On the one hand I do most of my learning on the net, yet on the other textbooks are always a source to go to for reliable information which you know is on the sylabus. so im not sure really.
cannonfodder9 2 years ago
In general it sounds like a good idea, but the other thing I would be concerned about is how well different students respond to different learning techniques. For instance, boys generally learn better from interactive methods like this, yet girls often choose books and written notes over electronic learning. Surely then it would be better if students could choose which to use, so that they had the chance to achieve their academic potential.
VrtyBrtn 2 years ago
I think, were this to be fully embraced, new teaching methods would have to be researched to reap the full potential of on line resources. The preferences of individual learners obviously being key.
rhymingwithoranges 2 years ago
perhaps they should give children the option of an online resource or a text book. That way those who do not have internet access at home can choose a text book. Those who do can choose to use the online resource. And there may also be people who just prefer and can learn more efficiently from books that you can physically hold and look at rather than a computer screen. This would still save money and trees because less text books would be made.
sophiaishappy 2 years ago
As long as students have access to public computers like in libraries and school, I don't see the problem with them not having Internet at home is. It just means teachers will have to take that into account when they assign homework. I definitely think it's a step in the right direction.
MegTao 2 years ago
I've had to deal with notes and text books through the internet, and though I truly do not like reading off of a screen, i understand this will be, one day, a paperless world, and that fact i'll have to get used to.
But if they plan on doing this wide scale, what they really have to do is get their act together on keeping their sites functional. My COLLEGE was incapacitated by it's own website's malfunction during finals week and registration. Teachers and students alike were in utter chaos.
KingOfTheBritains 2 years ago
I loved your video response, but am intrigued as to what the other topics you were going to talk about were. Alas, I suppose we will never know.
:P
rhymingwithoranges 2 years ago
Oh wow, thanks! I'm so glad you liked it! :D
Haha, those topics shall one day get a video of their own. I just had a lot to say in my response to yours and didn't want to crowd it with unrelated topics (such as attempted book bannings and comic book character marriages).
KingOfTheBritains 2 years ago
Hmmmm... maybe supplying all the students with kindles. They are a bit expensive for my ity bity personal budget, but I would imagin they could be bought in bulk a bit more reasonable, and could be turned back in at the end of the year. Just an ity bity thought to match my ity bity budget ... and mind.
STONEDTOTHEBONE 2 years ago
I had honestly never heard of Kinles before people commented on their use. They seem exciting. You can also get cartridges for Nintendo DSs that allow you to read books.
Nothing about your thoughts were ity bity <3
rhymingwithoranges 2 years ago
It's uncertain in any situation when you can only rely on one form of anything. Whether it be fuels or school resources.
Like you pointed out this does ot only leave this pupils without a internet connection at home disadvantaged but those in areas where schools are poorly funded or the computers are not up to scratch will also be affected.
If the scheme had been put in place by slowly starting to upgrade computers and phase out textbooks it would be more viable.
CarrotTopKate 2 years ago
I think that it would be OK to use computers in some subjects, but I would still perfer to use books because I don't want to get too dependet on computers. Books ar just to... simple and easy to use.
XspaghettimonsterX 2 years ago
haha, good point, what with those pages so easy to turn :P
rhymingwithoranges 2 years ago
Eh. It's neither good, nor bad to me. My only concern is the one that you mentioned about in your video is people who don't have internet access. Those kids will be disadvantaged. I think also that having the text physically in front of you, as apposed to online is better, simply because you can highlight and make notes...though I suppose you can print the text out...
asimplecadence 2 years ago
you can technically still highlight and make notes on computers, although it takes longer and tends to be more messy. Speaking of messy, what the hell is going to happen to kids' handwriting?
rhymingwithoranges 2 years ago
You right. Though there's something to be said about physically doing something to remember it rather than electronically. The plus is less stuff, the con is distraction.
Oh, it'll definitely go to the can. Though it wasn't that great to begin with. Teacher's don't spend too much time on handwriting in the first place.
asimplecadence 2 years ago
I don't know, I think the internet works, but i think using a mixture of internet and textbooks would be better because I know that i get distracted when i'm online also having student used computers in every classroom would cost alot. i dont know. =/
laurathesmall 2 years ago
There is also a huge stigma still attached to using internet resources in the academic world. We need to work to making them more viable and reliable. We cannot rely on Wikipedia to do this for us.
rhymingwithoranges 2 years ago
The statistics you cite include ALL Californians, not households-with-kids-in-public schools. If California stops using textbooks the decline in demand will result in a decline in textbook prices, allowing those without internet to buy textbooks that cover the course material. Students can also access computers for free at any public library throughout the day.
danbblau 2 years ago
Textbooks online are very annoying. You have to wait ages before professors upload it and even then you have to print it out (unless you study it on your computer but that's not very comfy) so it's not exactly environmentally friendly. In the end, it'll cost the student far more than to just release them as textbooks. We've had this system for quite a while and it just doesn't really work. At least not in favor of the student.
honeyjv 2 years ago 3
I think this Idea is not that bad, but it doesnt work the way it is planned. If they would follow the example of Estonia, or better Tallin than it would be possible, because the complete city which is the captial of estonia has wirless internet and that for free.
If these circumstances and a internet school-database which provides the same information as the school books were given that project would be quite good.
BoredTextmarker 2 years ago
It's probably the future of education to go from books to digital devices, but I'm thinking Kindle-like technology more than just the internet. Every kid should have a device that can access your reading material, as well as form simple computer duties on which assignments can be done.
This is an act of desperation for Arnold. Generally though when a community is having a money crunch, they hold off on buying new textbooks instead of converting to an entirely new system of doing things.
dafttool 2 years ago
Comment removed
tira4687 2 years ago
We paid a rental fee on the book's. In Utah. i dont know if other states had the rental fee. But it paid for the new books or went in some ones pocket.
scottklaw 2 years ago
I still want your babies.
Desmond1990 2 years ago
Hahah, I've missed this so much! Watching the news just isnt the same without you commenting on it!
In terms of what I think, I can definatly see both sides. I think its probobly a good idea for primary schools but less so for more advanced stages of education: where revision is important.
RogueBlueJay 2 years ago
books are easier on the eye, and easier to read
this is a bad idea
unique7777k 2 years ago
Agreed !
matiou479 2 years ago
Q2) Yes it does have potential, but only if handled correctly
Q3) I know it's not big loss, and one probably considered good by the teaching proffession, but the students will miss out on generations of graffitti
RoramBenjimouse 2 years ago
Also, sitting out on the grass under the trees with a group of friends would stop.
So would last minute copying the answers from the back of the text book on the bus.
Think of all these experiences these children are going to miss out on!
itiselizabeth 2 years ago
The experience and shame of forgetting your text book would be replaced with the unavoidable "missssss, my computer isn't workinggggg".
Although I do think it's a good move I think it's going to be a strange conversion process...
itiselizabeth 2 years ago
i dont really like that, i mean its good in theory(not taking into account all those ppl dont have inernet) but i personally hate the idea of it, cause i just love any and all books. you can write in them and make notes in the margins and you cant do that on the computer, i found adding things to your books is a really good way of remembering them. but it does have potential maybe not now but def in the future when moreppl have access to internet, books do come in cdroms now though, same same?
maggielovesdrwho 2 years ago
Phasing out textbooks seems okay, but completely getting rid of them? Cold turkey? Not that I like textbooks very much, but seriously. Even if the information was simply on a computer program, there would still be a lot of problems. Many families only have one computer. Imagine having several people needing to reference their information at once? It's just a mess with our current state of things. Maybe we'll all be better connected and tech-nified in the near future, but as it is, this is bad.
zerohundredlol 2 years ago
I don't like that he's removing schoolbooks.
Not everyone can get Internet. The part of California I live at hardly any of the kids own a computer and can afford to go anywhere where they can use the Internet.
BathtubWanderer 2 years ago
so many kids drop out of school, its even worse if they dont have $. the education in the US is what has set it apart from the rest of the world in alot of ways not only the quality but also the cheepness colleges excluded, and now its all going to hell. this wont help the education system at all, if your going to cut back just please dont do it in schools. i just transfered to a private school because the school i was at was so crappy because of the lack of funding. education should matter!
GringaVsNapoleon 2 years ago
I have some of my textbooks available online as well as a hard copy. I find it a lot harder to concentrate and comprehend when it's on my computer (it doesn't help getting distracted by facebook either). It is quite handy, however, if I happen to forget my textbook in my locker...
busterandbuddy 2 years ago
Also, i dont understand how he expects kids to learn IN school while their books and info are only accessible online. I would use my book to do in class assignments all the time, and i can ASSURE you, that every classroom in every school in Cali cannot afford a computer for every kid to be able to use thier books online. As a long term goal, i think the paperless books are great, but schools just dont have the funding right now.
Get them all Kindles!!! haha
AND GO TONY BLAIR!!!
Mikisthatchick 2 years ago
Dear Ah-nohld...what a load of shit! I understand that this initiative will save money and trees. However, there are so many reasons as to why this is a bad idea. Like you said, Jazza, not every student has internet access at home. Even so, how about when these students aren't at home? For student athletes, I know they like to study while on the bus on the way to sporting events.
outofmyelement 2 years ago
Even if a student has a laptop, the world isn't completely wireless. In addition, I tend to absorb material better when I'm reading it out of a textbook. I get easily distracted and tend to skim more when I'm reading things online. I'm not sure if it's habit, comfort, or what, but it's what I do. Maybe there could be options for students, like being able to choose the textbook or the digital edition?
outofmyelement 2 years ago
Of course, there is also a problem of the student to computer ratios in schools. If all of the books are online how is a school going to have enough computers to support this? Also, how will classroom learning work? If something needs to be read in a classroom, you're killing just as many trees to print the pages out for students so they don't have to be on a computer in class.
outofmyelement 2 years ago
Oh...Aahnald
speaking as a girl who just graduated a high school that could barely afford to buy new paper, i think this is a good idea in theory, but not right for the current situation. in my environmental class, we had an online counterpart to out book, but still had a regular book, and i liked that, because it didnt sit me in front of the computer for hours reading and studying. i could study in my bed, or on the couch. And there are others in my house too that wouldnt want me to monopolize
Mikisthatchick 2 years ago
i think that the ultimate conversion from textbooks to either online resources or textbooks in CD format is imminent. i think that a digital format is also highly preferable to printed books. it's of course cheaper & more environmentally friendly & easily updated as you said. but also, from a student's point of view, now we won't have to carry around obscenely heavy books. that way you'll only feel the mental weight of the work rather than the physical as well. :)
luna51117 2 years ago
In Florida there is Florida Virtual School which is a complete middle school, high school, and even an elementary school in some counties, so I believe in online education. However, I would never want to trade in all of my textbooks for computer screens. The Internet definitely has the potential to revolutionize education all over the world.
JamesJacobelli 2 years ago
Also reading off a screen takes 30% longer and you remember way less. As if homework doesn't take long enough already ;).
Shantaell 2 years ago
I think I would rather have the books and I have broadband. You bring the most interesting subjects to us and the do make one think and take interest,
andyboirules 2 years ago
as a resident of california, and just having left high school a few years ago i think its a bad idea...first off students need textbooks when in school, but you cant bring laptops to school soo..how would that work? and many schools dont have a lot of computers so thats not gonna work...also personally i have hw online for school and i get distracted really easily... so having textbooks online i think that students will spend more time on facebook or w/e then actually reading their school books
maila89 2 years ago
my whole school uses laptops now, so basically we all had to buy ourselves a laptop and we use it in class. The thing is, a lot of the students at school use there laptops to play around instead of doing the work they're supposed to be doing. It's a good idea when you say it out loud but there are still a few flaws.
swirlypop123 2 years ago
i think its a great idea in going green
but i cant help but think that being on the internet wood be a distraction
when im at school if we iever use computers all the kids just speed thru watever we are doing and then go on youtube or their emails and just message eachother for the rest of class
CovetedRebel 2 years ago
I think the Schwarz's idea is really good.
We should expand on the idea of not using textbooks. Like, for instance, let's not use "Textbook Examples" anymore.
Like cancel math classes and start employing the children in government offices that uses math. Basic Math gets you assigned to a cash register, while Geometry gets you a desk job in the accounting office.
History gets you jobs at museums, Science puts you in state parks & as guinea pigs at universities.
It's all about saving money!!!
iaysen 2 years ago
i don't like the idea so much. i think most people would get distracted from doing their work when they could easily go onto some social networking site, instead of doing homework. and what would happen to all the lockers. i mean lockers are for school books. and i know some people use them for other things, but a lot of people, including myself, only use them for textbooks. so there would be a lot of empty lockers. and i'm sure schools wouldn't want to spend the money trying to get rid of them.
NessaR12 2 years ago
I like the option of online resources OR textbooks. Use what you can/want. I think schools should also think about renting/selling e-book readers. No paper, easy to update, portable, and no internet distractions.
digitalfare 2 years ago
most of the school books my school uses has an online verson that way I don't have to take my books home, but I have it if I really need it. I think the idea of the online book is so there can be more books in the class room. also if students where to use the online book there would be less of a chance for books to be lost/stollen/valdalized/ect. and it would save the school board money on replacing them. also for kids who don't have internet, they can just give them a book.
it isn't bad idea.
Kaleigh728 2 years ago
Does this mean my bookbag won't weigh 45 pounds any more?
lutherjw 2 years ago 3
Yes - and the book you're using for class won't be older than your parents either. My high school class got the rough end of the deal - we were always the class that used the text book last, they would be replaced for the class after us. We got to use the ratty books that were all written in and falling apart.
reorourke 2 years ago
If any school is without computers in this day and age, and that school isn't in a third world country, then that school has failed its community and needs to be closed - send the kids to the next closest school that actually knows how to run properly - kids need to learn how to use computers.
As far as not having them at home, I believe that most homes that don't have them are located in an urban area, an area where there should be a public library with computers & free Internet access.
reorourke 2 years ago
That's all well and good if a school has an unlimited budget but unless you know the financial circumstances of all of the schools without computers I don't see how you can be so cut and dry about what to do with them.
It's hard enough getting children to use the textbooks they have in their house, do you really think low socioeconomic homes (those without computers) are going to have parents with enough time to take their children to the library everyday.
waori 2 years ago
The simple truth is that a high school education should most definitely require computer training. Computer literacy is absolutely essential in this day and age, and computers should already be in the schools. If there are still schools without computers they're only doing a disservice to their students by remaining open.
As far as at home? Like I said, use the public library. If the kids can manage to go to the mall on their own I'm sure they can make it to the library.
reorourke 2 years ago
My point is you're speaking from a very entitled position. It is not as simple as "buy computers and internet access for your students or close" because some schools just can not afford it. The fault here is not with the school but with the state's funding of schools. The short fall in finances is made up by parents paying fees in many schools, if your school is in a poor area then the parents can't pay and you can't afford computers and the internet.
waori 2 years ago
If that we true I would be sympathetic. However I do not believe that any school cannot afford to have computers. There are things that they can do in order to get computers into the classroom. Goodwill for instance has old computers donated to it every day. Businesses get new computers - requisition the old ones and refit them for the school. Take the money you're saving on textbooks and use it for the computers, up-front cost yes but its not recurring.
reorourke 2 years ago
Can you imagine the success of a program which depends on 40% of students going to the library after school to do their homework?
waori 2 years ago
Do you think its right for schools to be graduating students who have no computer skills whatsoever? I think we are at such a point that for our students to be employable they should know how to use a computer. In fact at this point it shouldn't even be a question of whether they're being used in high schools but rather how young can we begin teaching computer skills.
reorourke 2 years ago
I don't think it's good to have children graduating without computer skills but if it's decided that they must have these skills before graduating then it is the responsibility of the state to ensure that the resources are available.I don't like the idea that we can add whatever we like to a school's curriculum but provide no extra support.
waori 2 years ago
I think you'd be surprised that most schools most likely are already equipped by now. I do agree that the state should support initiatives like this, and like I explained earlier it needn't necessitate things like higher taxes - its all within reach.
reorourke 2 years ago
I really get annoyed when things like this happen. My school couldn't even get proper floors and ceilings let alone standard textbooks.
It might save money but it's really going to hurt some kids. I love how it just assumes all schools have equal funding for computers.
It sounds good in theory but so did No Child Left Behind.
letterheadloyalty 2 years ago
remind me next time to copy my comments before posting! I made a nice, long comment with amazing points but it didn't post. :/ ugh. oh well. The highlights=my school makes us buy macs or ibm computers when we enter high-school to use to take notes and have class with. our science classes are completely "green" making all homework, tests, etc computerized. I think Schwarz made a good move, but who is going to pay for those computers? Is this going to lead to a "Farenheight 451" type scenario?
OobooChoo 2 years ago
As long as schools have good facilities in their libraries, and as long as kids can access them after school, then I don't think it matters if they don't have the net at home.
ellhow 2 years ago
I'm a 15 year old in San Diego, Cal. and I'm against this only because I don't any teen is going to study online while MySpace, FaceBook, Twitter, and YouTube are right there.
Not that I have anything against them, school and social networking just shouldn't be put together like that
hiimnoahwhoareyou 2 years ago
Hahaha an Arnie accent would have been incredible. As always Jazza, your video made me think. I think he could have not done this at all. To save money, just cut back on spending, but not eliminate textbooks completely! I love textbooks and tangible things such as books and newspapers and it is very sad that we all want to get rid of these resources. I guess it will revolutionize teaching in public schools, but it's not a revolation in a positive direction. They will miss out on tradtional ed.
emmfan09 2 years ago
I don't think it's a good idea. I always get distracted when using the computer. I prefer reading when trying to learn. However learning would be much more up to date and gives the opportunity to experiment with different ways of learning.
Its a hard one, but I don't approve.
theimben 2 years ago
I know that the OLPC project was intended for mainly third world countries, but maybe this would have been a good thing to tie in with the online textbook idea.
Now I'm not saying they should buy the laptops and let the children keep them, but if they are loaned out to the children for the year it could in the long run cut down on costs. After all it takes very little computing power to connect to the internet and therefore little need to upgrade them.
Dracofav 2 years ago
Hmm. Here in Texas...as far as I know, teachers will if possible give options to the students for choosing whether to have textbooks on a cd or an actual textbook. It's a nice and less heavy resource to carry around school, however I myself prefer the security of actually having the textbook in my hands. It's not running the risk of losing the cd or scratching it that makes me feel better. The cd concept would unfortunately be unacceptable to the Amish population. xD
mcflygirl1977 2 years ago
dose not get any greener then books think about
dexter2433 2 years ago
This past year I had a teacher who swore that in the coming years every student would have their own laptop they could use at school. This is a lovely idea but I don't see it happing any time soon. Unless my teacher's prediction comes true soon, it sounds like a number of these kids will be without any resources both at school and at home.
shmananagin 2 years ago
I like the fact that this plan would be environmentally friendly and help the states budget as well as progress education further using the internet as a teaching source. Two things bother me about this plan, though. You mentioned the first one: not all students have internet access in their own homes, making it incredibly difficult for them to do work at home. Even if every student had internet access at home, Id still be left wondering what resources would be used in the classroom.
shmananagin 2 years ago
wow more green my ass the use of computers and the stuff it takes to build them and the trash u end up with when there useless after only a few years is far me demanding on the eath then the use of wood to make books and throwing away a clean paper book when it is trashed out DOH
any one that thinks the use of computers is greener then books is nuts any way what about the power it taks to run the computers wow
dexter2433 2 years ago
For years I've noticed that many innovations begin in California, spread through the rest of the USA, and eventually make it to Europe. Not that every innovation is necessarily a good thing in the long run. (The long run ends in a factory in China.)
AECSRQ 2 years ago
I am currently a high school student in southern California, and about 60% percent of my classmates are on the discounted lunch/breakfast program. Presently, my school has only 40 computers available for the over 3.5 thousand students to use. Most of these are Windows XP or 98, and some still use floppy disks. If the governator expects this to work, than something must be done about the minimal availability of computers, not only at home, but in the schools themselves.
awesomefrog1 2 years ago
There is a problem there.
To get everyone internet at home is a serious challenge, so internet at the schools would be a better alternative. how much will the state spend on new computers for all the schools like this one? and what about a few years later when the computers don't work as well anymore? Also, if a students only connection to these online textbooks is at school, as it would be in this situation, won't people just end up printing most of it out?
wonder how you school would cope
tokyolivin 2 years ago
pwetty cool ideawer
not evewyone has inwernet access at home, twue, twue, but, wather then wevolutionising education, this is much much bettwer
caraaryana 2 years ago
i think that its a great idea but that some people will have a hard time with it due to their inability to use the internet at home. i also have a bit of an issue with it because almost too much stuff is available online now. people are beginning to lose appreciation for printed things.
pumpkinator09 2 years ago
I don't know much about it. At my school in Nebraska, we have laptops given to us for the school year, thus our teachers tend to use more online resources. my past year there i only had one textbook, and i didn't even use it because we had the online resource.
birdrage 2 years ago
I wish I could be at the blogtv show. I think it's great people are thinking about going this direction, the infrastructure required to make this happen effectively and efficiently doesn't exist. You won't just need computers in one lab in the school, you'll need so many more for in-class instruction. Additionally, I see things like problem sets being printed out for every student instead to deal with lack of home computers. And public libraries (free internet) won't be able to handle the need.
msbeckiejean 2 years ago
an interesting topic, since i live on the other side of the states, i have no knowledge of this happening and i was surprised. The main point having to be is if this is justified there being children who are not able to access the internet, its a necessity that their voices are heard. This then leads to if the money being "saved" by this movement will end up just going to those who need a laptop and internet just to be able to now learn on this new medium. i applaud it though, lighter backpacks
SomeSlyGuy1 2 years ago
at 0:13 it sounds like his is saying "Mr. Schwarzenegger signed".I think before Schwarzenegger seals the deal (which he pretty much did by signing that executive order) or before he does anything official.He should issue to the public the "online resources" he is planning to use,if maybe he is planning for textbook companies to convert into website form.I know this is about saving money, but this could end an entire industry (in CA) and that last thing the US needs is more people out of the job.
RedHeadExitting 2 years ago
I think it's a pretty cool idea, but along the same lines as you had that not everyone has access to the internet at home, are they going to give every student a computer to use during school as they would a textbook? That could get pretty costly if they have to buy every student a computer to use.
El091388 2 years ago
I think getting Calfornia connected should have been the first act.
I think computers are becoming a bigger and bigger part of education, rather than revolutionising education, this is just part of the evolution.
The only disadvantage I can think of is a reduction in oportunities to practice handwriting rather than typing. But typing is probably a more important skill nowadays.
mooxim 2 years ago
It's much more comfortable to have a book, as opposed to being stuck in front of a computer to learn.
Books are portable... with computers, this is not always so.
ohsocorny 2 years ago 2
I'm still waiting for a robot invasion to happen in California and Arnold Schwarzenegger to just kick butt. That's the real reason people voted for him right?
This seems to be a good proposition. I would love for the university I go to to get rid of textbooks. It would save me hundreds. But when you mention the families who don't have the internet available in their homes it does pose a problem. It's hard to say whether I am totally for or against this legislation I guess time will tell.
mavinajfan 2 years ago
Your videos are extremely insightful, I absolutely love them! It's such a pity we can only write 500 characters to actually discuss these issues :(
However, I still have some more characters to ask you a couple of questions: are your videos scripted? or are you just that eloquent and well-spoken naturally?
oOAnaLuisaOo 2 years ago
i forgot to say: 我是葡萄牙人。可是，我也在学习汉语！下月我想在北京师范大学学汉语。你觉得那个大学怎么样？
can you make a video entirely in chinese? 非常感谢！
oOAnaLuisaOo 2 years ago
i suppose if the teacher sets an assignment and the kids don't have the internet, they could always print the relevant parts
mattvot 2 years ago
do u speak japanese? because u got a lot of japanese writing in the background
OSeanSanO 2 years ago