The New York Times editorializes today that we should all think about using on-line textbooks, to cut back on costs for students.
This is based on a study that claims that students to no worse using them than using regular printed books. The cynic in me says its because they don't read either. . . .
I asked my students about it, and about 40% said they would buy an on-line version if it cost less. I may look into it.
5 comments:
Maybe at places where everyone brings a laptop to class, it would be nice.
Otherwise we will end up with a mess of printouts which, unlike regular textbooks, are not reusable.
In fact, I already have a textbook worth of printouts for each class in addition to the required textbooks.
What kind of geek brings a book to class?
A lot of students bring books to class as some professors actually require you to know what is in the texts in order to pass the class
Winneblogo wrote, "I asked my students about it, and about 40% said they would buy an on-line version if it cost less"
That's pretty meaningless. You should ask them if they would also buy a hard copy book if it cost less than an on-line version. All the students responded to was price--not format.
But that is the point--the cheaper e-version would be purchased! The fact that it would only be an electronic edition would be offset by the low cost.
That is why the editorial calls for more e-textbooks.
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