Texas and Text Books

The State of Texas is one of the largest purchases of school text books – which gives them significant influence over the content of what goes in those books.

While some states and school districts are thinking about using online textbooks that can be updated in real time or that can be custom designed, Texas is going to be using the same text books they’ve had for years – because they are short on money.

Textbooks may be on school desks for a decade
With funds held up by lawmakers, state tries to replenish shelves
12:00 AM CDT on Thursday, July 19, 2007
By TERRENCE STUTZ / The Dallas Morning News tstutz@dallasnews.com
AUSTIN – Texas students will have to use the same textbooks for a few more years while the state braces for a big jump in costs within a few years, largely because of a series of postponed purchases ordered by the Legislature.

I find both the purchasing power of the State of Texas interesting as well as the fact that students will be stuck using very old content in a world that is changing so fast.

Not only are some educators NOT using textbooks, there are some that are experimenting with holding classes online and some even using the virtual world of SecondLife.

Classroom technology goes extreme
By Randy Myers CONTRA COSTA TIMES Article Launched: 07/05/2007 03:03:27 AM PDT
St. Mary’s College professor Barry Eckhouse leaves no paper trail. In fact, he uses no paper at all.

Someone is thinking different about schools