Textbooks in the Digital Era: Is the E-book Worth It?

By Elizabeth Hilfrank on July 26, 2017

With so many things going online during this technologically driven era, it is no wonder that textbooks have followed suit.

As another school year quickly approaches, it is time to think again about how you wish to consume your information. Will it be by a physical turn of the page or a click of the button? Let’s weigh the pros and cons.

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Physical textbooks

Personally, I always lean towards the physical option if possible. I find I retain the information better and have a stronger ability to focus. But I’m only one person, so …

Pros

Minimal distraction — Physical textbooks have significantly fewer advertisements on the pages than can be found in a digital textbook. So, you lack the temptation to click on the ad for new shoes that may appear while reading online.

Measurable progress — It is easy to see how far you have come, and how far you have to go when you can pick up the pages and count them in a book. It puts everything in a more tangible perspective.

          “If I had the choice I would prefer the physical textbook. I feel I have more control over the way I study and work as compared to if I was using a digital textbook. Digital textbooks are overwhelming in my opinion because I can’t see how many pages are left. I just know what page I’m on so that also plays into my motivation,” said Gettysburg College senior Mary Casey.

A classic feel — Some people just really enjoy the sensation of cracking open a new book for the semester. The smell, the shiny pages … it just alludes to a new start.

Pennsylvania State University student senior Danielle Metzger says that the reason she always chooses physical textbooks over digital is because she likes the pages.

Reference points — If you buy a physical textbook, you never have to get rid of it if you don’t want to. So, if the subject you are studying is something you will be focusing on year after year, or is something you are just really interested in, then a physical textbook would be nice to have forever.

Cons

Heft — Textbooks definitely weigh down your backpack more than a downloadable .pdf or website. This can play into back problems and just utter annoyance in trying to fit everything into your bag.

Cost — Physical textbooks are likely to cost more than a digital textbook. Especially now because of the switch to digital, books are costing more and more. So, budget definitely comes into play.

Digital textbooks

Pros

Easy access — As long as you have access to the internet, you can access your textbook. This makes it much more convenient if you are a typically forgetful person.

Cost — Digital textbooks tend to cost less than physical textbooks. So, they can be very enticing for the budget-conscious student.

Interactivity — Some digital textbooks can provide additional materials or work sections so that you can get more practice for no higher of a price.

Multitasking ability — This can fall into both the pros and cons sections, as if you are working on a paper and need to reference a book, it may be easier to just click between screens. At the same time, you are just as able to read a chapter online and have Facebook open at the same time. Those notifications can be daunting …

Cons

Health — Like studies have shown with smartphones, longer time staring at a screen can lead to sleep disorientation. If you are someone who likes to read before bed, then reading off of a computer may hinder your cycle. With this, studies have shown that reading on a computer can also lead to more headaches and eye strains.

Less retention — Because people are so accustomed to skimming things online, it is possible that you may be more tempted to skim textbooks online, too. It’s not your fault. That scroll bar is just too tempting.

Lack of reliability — Unlike a physical textbook, which is always there for you (as long as you know where you put it), Wi-Fi and computer batteries are not always supportive. If you are rushing to read something before class, and the internet is slow, then it may be difficult to finish your chapter in time.

Photo courtesy of pexels.com

While all of these pros and cons are important to weigh, it is also important to consider what subject you are purchasing the textbook for. In general online textbooks are better for science and math, while physical textbooks are preferred for humanities. This is due to the way content is presented.

Topics in the realm of humanities are so text heavy that it is easier to manage on paper. For topics that are formula based (like math), it is easier to just click straight to the reference page that you need on that given day.

In the end, the choice is a personal one. There is no right answer, it just depends on what works for you best as a student.

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