In my opinion, the quicker we move to online-only textbooks, the better. I'm not sure if they use the costs of publication as a justification for why they've gotten so much more expensive, but regardless, I would imagine that online copies couldn't possibly cost as much as print versions; if textbook companies tried to utilize the same predatory pricing techniques, I think it would be much more apparent if there wasn't a big, heavy, bulky book they could wave around as their rationale.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Textbooks
While we've talked at length about the decline of print and its consequences, I sincerely hope that at least one form of print dies out, and sooner rather than later at that--textbooks. I read recently that the price of textbooks is rising exponentially faster than inflation could possibly account for. According to an article in the Huffington Post: "College textbook prices are 812 percent higher than they were a little more than three decades ago, the American Enterprise Institute, a think tank, reports. Textbook costs have well outpaced the 559 percent increase in tuition and fees over roughly the same period." 812% more expensive than they were 30 years ago. 812%. How is that even legal? With "new editions" coming out every year, the addition of useless online components or CDs, and a heavy markup from school bookstores, textbooks are huge financial drains on students who are already incurring piles of debt from rising tuition costs (looking at you, TCU). Personally, my most expensive semester cost me a little over $350 in textbook costs, even with rentals and used copies. I think I've gotten off easy--I've heard of pre-med students with books costing over $700 per semester.
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This is an interesting topic of discussion. In some ways, I think that textbook printing is something that the print industry, specifically local presses, can rely on for the future. While the price of purchasing a textbook may be steep, there are ways to avoid the heavy prices by using renting companies or buying from a used bookstore or selling your textbooks to a friend. In many cases, the class specific textbooks can be shared among friends, but I see how it can be frustrating to pay over $200 for one book when there is no other option.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I prefer a hardcopy textbook as opposed to an online version. It is easier for me to read a book and then take notes in the margins or on my computer while reading the hardcopy version. In addition to this, it is difficult for me to read on a computer screen for several hours, which I feel is a common trend among college students. Because of these factors, I do not see textbooks shifting entirely to the online version; however, I also hope that there is a change in the upward trend of cost.
I agree with Justin, that I like a hard copy version of a textbook. However, I definitely agree that the pricing of them is absolutely ridiculous. There is no reason for them to be so expensive. Perhaps there is a way to make them less expensive- if they become less popular. Cheaper paper could be used, a lack of color, maybe more will be paperback than hard cover. I think there are ways to still have a printed version without it being as pricy. I also think the idea of renting the books helps- the bookstore currently does that. However, I still think its too expensive for the amount we use the book.
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