As we wrapped up another school year, book collection became a major process.  For the past few weeks since school ended, the steady stream of students and parents coming in to turn in books or to pay for lost ones has been the focus of much activity. And the replacement charge is always high, in the $70 range.

Well, I was thinking. With the nature of content these days, the ability to collaborate, the growing use of the cloud, iPods, iPhones, netbooks and other mobile devices, has the long-standing image of the textbook as an essential instructional tool begun to fade?

I don’t mean the format of the textbook.  Sure it could become an e-book, or a Kindle book.  I mean cease to exist.  I am just asking. We have seen the demise of the encyclopedia.  Isn’t a textbook a subject specific encyclopedia?

I know that Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed something like this for California and has pointed out the savings that could be generated. It would be huge.  It would be a challenge. But it could be worth it.

In addition to the financial benefits, is it possible that learning would increase if we had to teach without the text and students had to learn without it?  Possible?  Imminent? Crazy idea?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  Please feel free to comment.