no more paper textbooks

     I read an article today about how Rick Perry wants to get rid of paper text books in Texas schools, and replace them with digital books.  The reason is because text books get outdated very quickly and they also wrote something about the high school dropout rate.
     I agree that text books get outdated very quickly, but there are problems with replacing them with digital books.  First of all, kids who don't have computers at home wouldn't be able to study at home, only during class.  And then, if these "books" aren't downloaded onto the computer to where you don't have to be online to view them, what about the kids who don't have the internet?  How would they access the material to study?
     The article mentioned iPads, and other small devices that can have books on them, but if those things are what will have the books, then every student will need one.  The only way that can happen is if the school provides them to the students, because every student will not be able to afford an iPad. 
     If we all decide to do this, and make schools furnish the iPad, computer, or whatever digital device, to the students, what about school districts that don't have very much money.  The high school I went to was poor.  There was no way it could afford to purchase an iPad for every student.  And I don't think it's fair to require children attending public schools to purchase iPads.
     Another thing to consider is student learning styles.  Students learn in different ways.  Some learn just by listening, some have to take notes, some are visual learners.  Some students may need to have a paper copy of the material they're learning right in front of them, while others may be perfectly fine just looking off the computer.  Personally, I need paper versions.  I need to be able to take the book to the table and get away from the computer to study and learn, and I know I'm not the only one like that.  There are many, many people who learn that way.
     Sure, textbooks need to be updated, but maybe we can find a way to get up-to-date information without requiring children to read and learn off of small handheld devices.