[CALIBK12] California opens the door to free open source digital textbooks

Thu May 7 12:17:35 PDT 2009

Perhaps CSLA could contact Glen Thomas and get involved in this  
project from the start. From the library point of view (circulation,  
equipment, etc.) what is needed/desired. It was the TLs on the  
literature list committees that made sure the books on the lists were  
still in print. How many district wish now that they had asked their  
librarians about barcoding textbooks before jumping into "la-la  
land?" How 'bout inviting Glen Thomas to talk about it at CSLA?

If TLs think "outside the box" and offer/bring their great ideas to  
the table it will be proactive and probably a better product.  In any  
case, Barbara Jeffus should be on the team. Just an idea from a  
retired/shelved teacher librarian who is enjoying being such.

Linda
On May 7, 2009, at 11:55 AM, Barnes, Margaret wrote:

>
> Some universities are piloting Kindle/textbooks this fall. The  
> article is in eSchool News online, May 7th http:// 
> www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=58654
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Maggie Barnes
>
> District Librarian
>
> Santa Ana Unified School District
>
> 1601 E. Chestnut Ave.
>
> Santa Ana, CA 92701-6322
>
> 714-480-4784
>
> Margaret.barnes at sausd.us
>
> From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu [mailto:calibk12- 
> bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Thomas Nixon
> Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 11:12 AM
> To: Barbara Duffy; calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu; Ann Sperske; GlenWarren
> Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] California opens the door to free open  
> source digital textbooks
>
>
> The problem with using a Kindle is that there is no cost savings.  
> Even with some sort of education discount, they would still be  
> three times the cost of a textbook. Add to that the amount of money  
> in losses each year (because it really is easier to lose a Kindle  
> than a textbook). Add to that the number of Kindle repair and  
> support people you would need to add as employees to a large district.
>
> Think how hard it is to get a student to pay for a $70 textbook.  
> Now multiply that amount. Also, Kindles would be high-theft items.
>
> I do think we will be moving to some sort of digital reader. I  
> think we need to be looking for an as yet undiscovered company that  
> can make them for $40. You never know, but I expect that it may not  
> be Apple or Amazon.
>
> And, yes, Williams would require you to supply each student who  
> needs one with one.
>
>
> Tom Nixon
> --
> Teacher Librarian
> Tehipite Middle School
> 630 N. Augusta Street
> Fresno, CA 93701
> (559) 457-3420, x. 570
> Web: http://www.tehipitelibrary.org
> Blog: http://notyourmotherslibrarian.blogspot.com
>
> From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu [calibk12- 
> bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Barbara Duffy  
> [BJDuffy at lbschools.net]
> Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 10:27 AM
> To: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu; Ann Sperske; Glen Warren
> Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] California opens the door to free open  
> sourcedigitaltextbooks
>
> How about morphing to a Kindle for the books.  Wouldn't that serve  
> the purpose?  And students would be responsible for returning them  
> in good order just as they are with textbooks now.
>
> Barbara
>
> >>> "Ann Sperske" <asperske at nvusd.k12.ca.us> 5/7/2009 9:45 AM >>>
> I read this and wrote a letter to O'Connell and Arnold immediately.  
> Great concept but there are so many problems with it. Access.  
> Format. Compatibility. Hardware. Computers. Editing, publishing,  
> reviewing, parent support  and school board review of new  
> adoptions. The list goes on. We don't even have enough computers on  
> campus to have each kid trying to access a textbook. No computers  
> in the classrooms. Funding issues. Broadband issues. Publishers'  
> lobbyist groups. Database access for every school -- quality  
> databases like SFPL has.
>
> We need a teacher librarian at every school, heading every district  
> library services dept, support staff in every library, fully funded  
> school libraries, refresh protocols for technology, standardized  
> professional development for staff on information literacy ... and  
> so much more before they try out digital textbooks withOUT support.
>
> Just a thought.
> Ann Sperske
> Google Certified Teacher Librarian
> Vintage High School
>
>
>
>
> From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu [mailto:calibk12- 
> bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Glen Warren
> Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 9:01 AM
> To: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
> Subject: [CALIBK12] California opens the door to free open source  
> digitaltextbooks
>
> California opens the door to open source digital textbooks.  Here  
> is a snap shot of the press release and the link provided below.
>
> Gov. Schwarzenegger Launches First-in-Nation Initiative to Develop  
> Free Digital Textbooks for High School Students
> Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today launched an initiative to make  
> California the first state in the nation to offer schools free,  
> open-source digital textbooks for high school students. The  
> Governor directed his Secretary of Education Glen Thomas to ensure  
> these resources are available for use in high school math and  
> science classes by fall 2009, a critical first step in helping  
> ensure digital textbooks are widely available to all California  
> students.
>
> link:  http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/12225/
>
> Glen Warren
> Coordinator of Media Resources
> Orange County Department of Education
> 200 Kalmus Drive
> Site Location:
> 3001 Red Hill
> Costa Mesa, California 92626
>
> Phone: 714-966-4208
>
> "There are only two ways to live your life.
> One is as though nothing is a miracle.
> The other is as if everything is."
> - Albert Einstein
> ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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