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Response to FCPS Online Textbooks

FCPS has introduced online textbooks for all math courses in K-12 for the 2012-13 school year.  Social studies courses went to online textbooks in the 2011-12 school year, but more broadly this academic year.  Below is a link to the OHS PTSA’s response to this issue.  There are additional relevant links, some of which look at the longer term online textbook evolution from the perspective of a couple of college communities. 

What becomes clear is that we are in a paradigm shift with education, but not one whose course is definitive.  It is vital that we consider choices as we evolve towards the greater use of technology.  It is especially critical that we make sure there is access for all before we make commitments that could create a larger educational divide among our students.

November 9th 2012 –  OHS PTSA Letter to Parents at Oakton HS & Call to Action (.pdf) (use by permission of Oakton HS PTSA)

Media

• Online Math Books Fail in Fairfax County
• November 19, 2012 – Chantilly Patch - In Rush to Innovate, FCPS Dropped the Ball
• November 16, 2012 – Fairfax Times – Teachers give on-line math books a failing grade.
• November 7, 2012 – The Daily Pennsylvanian – The future of online learning with on-line textbooks.
• November 17, 2012 – The Chronicle of Higher Education – What is an Access Code Worth?
• November 9th, 2012 – Oakton Patch Article
• November 8th, 2012 – Chantilly Patch Opinion Post

Background Material

• American Optometric Association – Computer Vision Syndrome;
• All About Vision (Studies & Tips) – Children and Computer Vision Syndrome