Technology has changed many aspects of education as teachers have incorporated various tools into research, presentations and assignment creation. In a world that has shown an increased demand for digital content, it was only a matter of time before e-textbooks came onto the scene. There are certainly schools that have embraced the convenience and multimedia depth of these new learning devices. However, there are also problems and according to one article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, they aren't saving the students any money.
Not a money saver
According to the article, students involved in the study saved less than a dollar on e-textbook purchases. Rentals were more affordable than buying the new digital resources, but overall the cost savings was not immense. I hope this conclusion is not a shock to anyone. As an educator who has seen the slow emergence of e-textbooks, I would be very surprised if students saved any money on e-textbooks.
Unfortunately for students, there are no dog-eared, used versions of e-textbooks that can be purchased at a discount. When I was in college, students would literally camp out and wait for the used-book sale to start so that they could save a few dollars. Prices are varied; for this Barnes and Noble textbook, the paperback textbook is almost $30 cheaper than the "eTextbook." For this business textbook, buying or renting the Amazon Nook version is cheaper than the standard hardcover textbook. However, used hard copies of that textbook and rentals are cheaper still.
A business perspective
Educators have to remember that textbook companies are going to hang onto their business for dear life. Textbooks represent a clash between traditional learning and the modern student who is used to getting their material for free on the Internet. I am certain that publishers realize the world is changing quickly, and they need to make adjustments if they are going to survive. It will be interesting to see if educational institutions and publishers can find a financial compromise that is palatable to both sides.
Adjusting to a new style
It should also be noted that e-textbooks represent a shift in teaching style. I have seen some educators embrace the e-textbook, but others do not feel it is a better tool for learning. Unfortunately, the assumption can be that the technological solution is automatically superior, and this is not always the case. Even students have had issues with accessing and navigating e-textbooks, or dealing with short-term access to material. Technology is certainly helpful in some environments, but grabbing a book and turning to a certain page is still faster in some situations than logging onto an e-textbook.
It will be interesting to see whether e-textbooks eventually become the standard in higher education or if the human need for the tactile will keep that dusty dog-eared tome around for a few more years.
The author teaches at the college level and prior to entering the classroom he spent many years in higher education administration. On occasion he also enjoys the pure entertainment of substitute teaching at the high school and middle school levels.
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