Books and the WEB

OK - I am a person who loves books - simple - turn the page - touch the paper - kinds of books -- My daughter calls me a "book hoarder" because I have boxes and book shelves full of books -- I probably have the equivalent of a small library if I ever get them all together --I do love books and I don't feel bad about all the books I have -- So, I can't get used to the idea of books in any other form then the traditional smell the pages kinds of books -- I can sit in the stacks of the library for hours and just look through the books -- Geez - I sound like an addict!! My point is that books on a computer screen just don't have that appeal for me -- when I read a really good book, I pass it on to family and friends -- How do you do that with a down-loaded book? I just can't get excited about reading online --
I liked the article the South Florida U. guys posted about collaboration -- I can see how many things like that would work in a college setting were most of the students have computers or daily access to them -- Where I taught for years, we didn't have that luxury and many students still don't - I loved teaching in a small rural community, but I do realize that many of our kids miss out on what is available in the world, but it is a trade off -- They also have a sense of the world that those who spend their lives in the hustle and bustle don't have -- I am one who loves the peace and quiet and have lived most of my life without all the newest and best -- In this day and age I have to wonder how much we really have to have -- I think that is part of the problem with the debt our country is in, because everyone thinks they have to have all the newest and the best "toys" -- Not because they really can't survive without them, but because they don't want to try -- I have to admit that the teaching profession is changing, but I don't know if it is for the greater good or not -- Many students need that personal attention they get in a classroom, not something that is disconnected through a computer network -- I know that they say we are more connected, but I don't feel that way -- I began my masters degree through Cal. State U. online, but missed being in the classroom with teachers and other students. So I came back to BSU even though it cost me 10 credits -- I need and like a classroom with real people --