1230 Debate: Arnie Terminates School Books

by iambest | June 9, 2009 at 04:08 am

271 views | 76 Recommendations | 17 comments

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is planning to phase out textbooks in schools and use internet texts instead. As per him this will save money.

In My views this should be implemented in whole world as this will reduce the use of paper and will save more trees and forest.

At least we can do some efforts to save our forests...

My Vote to Arnold!!! Thanks for This Initiation.....

Schwarznegger wants to save money by cutting out what he calls "heavy" and "antiquated" books that cost the state nearly £218m last year.

He believes California's tech-savvy youngsters will quickly adapt to learning online.

"Today, our kids get their information from the internet, downloaded onto their iPods, and in Twitter feeds to their cell phones," he said.

"So why are California's public school students still forced to lug around antiquated, heavy, expensive textbooks?"

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huneds

at 04:15 on June 9th, 2009

cool...Good Thinking....

webwizz

at 04:18 on June 9th, 2009

a good idea towards saving trees and for greener tomorrow for our children..... I am with him in this though... great idea!!

Paschen

at 04:38 on June 9th, 2009

What about the energy computers use? The pollution they cause on the land fields with the toxic parts that are build in, once outdate.

And what about the Children's stress on their eyes due to additional radiation and screen light?

Who will pay for the computers for those children whose parents can not afford one?

And finally what about copy rights?

Hiranya Malwatta

at 11:57 on June 9th, 2009

Agree with Paschen.

Not only stress on their eyes, but what about things like RSI (Repetitive Stress Injuries) and Carpel Tunnel Syndrome? Very dangerous.

iambest

at 01:50 on June 10th, 2009

Yes i do agree with paschen but what if we are saving forest...this will help to save world...

Spydermonkey

at 05:27 on June 9th, 2009

The challenges involved in switching to a computer based "book" will be many, but the potential benefits can be many as well. California has always been in the lead when it comes to implementing new technology, & I think that their adoption of this will give other school systems a chance to evaluate how well it does/doesn't work.

Paschen, I agree with your conserns, & I think the problems can be overcome. The computers don't have to be the best & newist for this job, and the school should supply a "netbook" for all the students with software that is node locked to the assighned computer (for a begaining)

jazzyzazzy

at 07:14 on June 9th, 2009

Naw canny see this being any good news.I agree with Paschen on this one.

Blue Crush

at 08:01 on June 9th, 2009

Easier said than done ...

Roy C

at 08:22 on June 9th, 2009

Well, I see some problems possible, but the high cost of textbooks is ridiculous, unnecessary, and I have seen this coming for a while.

Have you seen how heavy the backpacks are of some kids? To the point of causing possible injury to them?

Let it all be on-line. We can go back to books when necessary. The experiment is worth doing.

anarkissed

at 09:50 on June 9th, 2009

So are they going to buy computers for all the poor kids, and replacement computers when they get stolen and pawned? they going to pay for internet connections in all those poor homes? once again i see a future of differences between the rich and poor schools with the poor schools studying out of ever more antiquated paper books damaged and torn and unreplaceable while the kids who can afford computers are getting better marks for having better tools.

Roy C

at 10:01 on June 9th, 2009

You stay after school and use the computer banks that all the schools have. Very, very few homes, even poor homes, don't have computers.

L-S (not verified)

at 10:25 on June 9th, 2009

the answer is to use e-readers, like the Kindle which can store a whole library of books and are light to carry around. Even homework can be downloaded or daily lesson material.

The days of carrying around a bag full of books should be over!

Roy C

at 10:39 on June 9th, 2009

Excellent suggestion.

Amy Judd

at 11:40 on June 9th, 2009

I love books, but I think a balance between computers and books would be a good thing.

Can you add an opinon flag to your story though - you can do that in the edit field and just click the box marked 'opinion'. Thanks!

iambest

at 01:49 on June 10th, 2009

Thanks for good suggestion amy...i did the same...

Barbara McPherson

at 16:25 on June 9th, 2009

There certainly is room for both. It is hard to beat curling up with a book tho. I love the 'net' too.

Ostia

at 02:08 on June 10th, 2009

Generally speaking I agree with this suggestion. I experienced myself how textbooks are being replaced after just one year of usage because some minor mistake was discovered, or the curriculum changed.

However, should kids really be in front of the screen all the time? Aren't they already watching enough tv, are sitting enough in front of the tv?

@L-S buying an e-reader is more expensive than buying a very very cheap laptop which is still capable of storing more books, info etc