NORMAL - Jacob Belmar and many students like him, don't sag under the weight of heavy textbook-filled backpacks on the way home from school anymore. | Book costs add up for local districts

A lot of times, all the Parkside Junior High School sixth-grader carries home with him is his computer password in his head and a list of homework assignments, using the online version of his textbooks on his home computer.

"It's an advantage. Unless the power is out, Internet is down, or you forget your password," he said with a grin.

Having Internet problems is not an excuse for not having homework done, he said. He can use the computer lab, library, or a textbook.

Belmar, 11, has textbooks in all their multi-page glory - and he uses them. But, as noted by Jim Braksick, Unit 5's assistant superintendent of curriculum/instruction, these kids have grown up with technology - and they use that, too.

"When you give them that opportunity (to use technology in learning) they jump right in," said Braksick.

Online crossword puzzles and "kind of neat games" are among favorite computer components of lessons for Christy Huett, 11, of Normal.

Huett and Belmar are in the sixth grade Parkside Junior High School science class of Duane Thoennes who is a fan of including technology in his teaching.

He used new online science textbooks for seventh and eighth grade students last year, "They loved it. There are so many features," he said.

Audio learners can listen to the text being read to them; visual students can absorb information from text, graphics and photos.

The resources also make it easier for him to provide things of interest to gifted learners in his class of 25 as well as those who need a little extra help, he said.

Students interact in the computer lab and teach each other. "They're good at that," said Thoennes. "Its part of self- guided learning. "I facilitate," he said.

"It makes it more concrete. They retain it better than just listening to a teacher lecture, he said.

On this particular day, his sixth grade science students worked on a scavenger hunt which introduced them to various tools available through their computer textbook by giving them challenging questions.

Students worked in the computer lab at the school's library/media center. Theonnes swapped with another teacher to get them space at that time.

Scheduling computer lab time is a bit tricky and requires good planning on the part of the teachers, said the junior high's principal Kenny Lee.

At the school of 900 students, there are four separate computer labs, two wireless stations on carts, 24 laptops, and teachers have a computer in their classrooms.

Neither Unit 5, nor neighbors Bloomington District 87, have exact numbers of how many students have access to computers at home, but the number is pretty high.

All 25 students in Thoenne's class had computers they could use at home. Others use libraries or community centers near their homes.

"In Bloomington-Normal access is widespread, but not universal," said Teresa Hill, District 87's assistant superintendent of curriculum.

The district's goal, Hill said, is to encourage students to read. "We're less concerned if it's in a book or on a computer," she said.

While online resources play a strong role in education, Hill said she doesn't expect to see the end of hard-covered textbooks anytime soon.

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In the book bag

Following is a sampling of what text books for a seventh grader and Normal-based Unit 5 schools cost this year.

Core classes

Penguin Literature (language arts) $71

Writing and Grammar $51

Various novels, each $14

Prentice Hall Mathematics $57

Science Explorer Life Science $64

Creating America: History of United States Full Survey $57

Rotating Classes

Applying Life Skills (home economics) $42

Applied Computer Keyboarding $29

Technology in Action $30

Teen Health Course 2 $32

Elective language classes

Discovering French Nouveou! Blue $61

Komm Mit Level 1 (German) $52

En Espanol! (Spanish) $56

Source: Vickie West, Unit 5's administrative assistant with media services, text books. Prices average to nearest dollar.