E-Textbooks as an Alternative to Traditional Text Books
Posted by
Kevin Park on Tue, Sep 06, 2011 @ 09:23 AM
Interesting article recently from Examiner.com regarding the use of e-textbooks at San Jose State University:
San Jose State University students began attending fall classes this past Wednesday. As students search for classes, many more are seeking alternatives for class textbooks and course materials. Due to higher costs for tuition and books, many students are finding the option of opting out of printed books in return seeking lower costs and direct access to information from online media sources.
The new e-book is influencing the way students access course work for exams. One advantage to using e-texts are online sites that offer course study guides and quizzes enhancing course material taught in class. Companies such as Course Smart in direction of Pearson Education, Inc., offer online rental e-Textbooks. However, when you rent the course e-book text material through Course Smart, after the semester course has ended, you no longer have access to the information. The information itself may not lead to any strategic improvement to course structures as professors may choose to teach part or some of the information offered by the e-textbook or text.
The average cost of a textbook is anywhere from $40 - $260. By choosing to use an e-textbook, the text material cost is reducing by 60% of the original cost. However at the end of the semester session you no longer have access to e-textbook information and site privileges.
If you have textbooks that you would like to recycle, Recycle Bookstore located at 1066 The Alameda can help with deciding how you would like to recycle your old textbook. Recycle bookstore chooses which books they think that they can recycle or resale to students who are looking for used textbooks. Rates are explained by Recycle Bookstore as having a "three to one swap for similar valued books."
San Jose State University President Mohammad Qayoumi envisions the future goals of the University to offer course material online, instead of offering the
traditional textbook. Qayoumi stated, "We can reduce costs by better utilization of technologies and fostering innovation."
Often the world of textbooks and other course materials are offered by University Press Publishers. Publishers often along with textbooks offer online study guides and self help materials for registered students on company websites.