SEPTEMBER 2012

eText

NEWS 5

: out of reach

Average cost of an online

history textbook:

$79.04 $57.65

95%

out of 100 students

disapprove of online
textbooks

I think they should be optional.

Theyre just tedious.
- Sierra Jeter (11)

By Aimee Cho and Neeka Eghbali,

Editor-in-Chief and Copy Editor
How many online textbooks do you have?

One (75%)

Two (23%)

Three or more (2%)

How many hours do you spend using online textbooks?

One (60%)

Two (33%)

Three or more (7%)

Saxon Scope poll of 100 students

GRAPHIC BY NA HE JEON

Average cost of a print

history textbook:

rom SmartBoards to laptops to online and even some Internet browsers cant either, said eyes, said sophomore Sepideh Behestian.

They have obviously not addressed
textbooks, Langley is constantly becom- senior Sid Venkatraman.
ing more high-tech. But as the backlash
Students werent the only ones unhappy pediatric ophthalmologists warnings about
against the new online textbooks may with the shift to e-text. Students werent the only the dangers of too much electronic screen time
show, more technology isnt always better.
ones unhappy with the shift to e-text. It is shock- to your eyes, added Ms. Cobb.

Designed to make learning more con- ing that Fairfax County sends home forms to fill
venient and interactive, the new online textbooks out if you are homeless or need free lunch, yet at Teacher response
Teachers are acknowledging student
appear to have made life harder-at least for some the same time requires the use of a computer and
students. I really dont like the online textbooks. the Internet to access your textbooks, said Lang- frustrations, and are doing their best to be supportive of students. I understand how diffiI wish we had a choice, said sophomore Tali ley parent Tina Cobb.
Champney.

Another common objection is the un- cult access is. Teachers will help students with

The online textbooks are part of a reliability of the online textbooks. Issues with any problems they face, said History Departcounty-wide initiative by Fairfax County to dif- logging in have somewhat hindered my learning ment Chair Steve Plunkett.
It is a change to get used to the
ferentiate and enrich student learning,
new textbooks, added math teacher
through highlighting, glossaries, videos and
flashcards according to the Fairfax County How can a teacher expect me to focus Richard Whitehead. We all just want
be able to flip to the back of the book
website.
when its easier to turn to Facebook than to
and check our answers.
to turn a page in my online textbook? I personally prefer to hold an acFrustrated and Distracted
tual book in my hands, said history

One of the most common stu-Sean Herman (10)
teacher Ryan Jackson.
dent objections to the new online textbooks is the inconvenience caused by havWhats next?
ing to sit at a computer to do homework. This can process this year, said senior Zack Dailey.
According to Principal Matt Rabe a hindrance for athletes, who are away from
Junior Justin Yi noted that the online
home for many hours each day.
textbooks often fail to load, or end up crashing his gone, Langley is required to implement whatever online or hard copy texts the county ap
I do the majority of my homework at computer.
practice or in the car. I find little time to use the
The potential for increased distraction proves and purchases. Science will most likely
computer, said sophomore basketball player Ma- is yet another issue. Facebook, Twitter and Tum- be the next subject to have online textbooks.
The county has told us they will
hir Ahmed.
blr are literally one click away, said sophomore

Junior Cori Ritchey added,Its not like Sean Herman. How can a teacher expect me to probably never buy another hard copy, said
you can just take the online textbook with you.
focus when its easier to turn to Facebook than to Mr. Ragone. My advice is to try to get used to
this way of gaining information. Fortunately

In addition, because the textbooks turn a page in my online textbook?
require Adobe Flash, they cannot be viewed on
Finally, health can be a concern as or unfortunately, this is not going away.
many types of smart phones and tablets.
well. The textbooks give me a headache. I hate Additional reporting by Alex De Thier, Joey Mal
My phone cant access the textbooks, the lights on the computer because they hurt my pica, and Justin Speros