It is known that technology is becoming crucial in education as time progresses. But, most do not realize that classes, such as IB Math Studies, are beginning to follow suit.

Instead of using the regular textbooks that students dread carrying around, IB coordinator Chris Smith and IB Math Studies teachers MaLynda Wolfer and Alan Simpson have taken a new route of online textbooks.

“We didn’t have the budget to buy books for everyone,” Simpson said. “These newer books fit the curriculum and are easier to learn from compared to the old books.”

The recent budget cut has hurt many departments and this change will not only save money, but will also help students learn. These new textbooks have a modern update that not only fit the curriculum but also make learning easier for students by explaining problems better. This change has been official since the beginning of the second semester for this school year.

The main problem with this new change is that some students do not have internet access. This thought already occurred to Simpson and Wolfer, so they offer other available options for students to complete homework. Even though there is only a class set of textbooks for the classes, students have an option to check out a textbook if they talk to their teacher. They can also write down the problems from one of the in-class textbooks, which would simply require the student to put in extra time.

“We have discs with the textbook on them so they can be downloaded directly to a computer,” Wolfer said. “Students can access copies of the hard format in class and in the math lab as well.”

Not having internet access is the only problem to have appeared so far. This change was not new to the students, as they were told right before winter break and had time to think ahead to what this change would bring. Relief was spread among students as they learned that they did not have to lug around a pre-calculus book anymore.

Junior Tiara Thill expressed her reprieve of not having a textbook anymore.

“The con of having a textbook was having to carry the heavy book around,” Thill said. “Sometimes I forgot to bring my book to class so I couldn’t always do my work in class.”

Being that this generations is used to technology and adapts well to it, this change has not been too difficult for students. However, students have different views on whether or not accomplishing homework has become easier, more difficult or has simply not changed from before.

Most students, like senior Lauren Laakso, are not really affected by this change.

“I can just pull up the textbook on my phone or computer,” Laakso said. “It’s nice.”

If any difficulties arise, there is plenty of time to sort through them and find solutions.

“I don’t see digital textbooks going away. Our economy has forced public institutions to get smart about our resources and finding ways for students to access knowledge in a financially intelligent format makes a lot of sense,” Wolfer said. “Just because our budget limits our access to new texts, doesn’t mean we should give up on getting Gresham students the best of the best in new curriculum.”