[CALIBK12] California opens the door to free open sourcedigital textbooks

Thu May 7 12:57:35 PDT 2009

I would think Susan Martimo would be involved already.  She is a former
librarian now heading the Textbook Dept at CDE.

Barbara

>>> Linda Jewett <ljewett12 at comcast.net> 5/7/2009 12:17 PM >>>

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:
 st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } 
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=58654Sincerely,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
digitaltextbooksCalifornia 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 WarrenCoordinator of Media ResourcesOrange County Department of
Education200 Kalmus DriveSite Location:3001 Red HillCosta 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

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