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| Yes | 74% | 240 votes | Total: 323 votes | |
| No | 26% | 83 votes |
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Add to FavoritesNothing was more infuriating than to have to pay for a new textbook when the new edition had changes that were of no merit, whatsoever. Worse, It was often mandatory to buy the expensive new text when the new content was not even used!
I've always believed that the college textbook market was a ripe target for problems. In college, teachers have the vast power to decide which books will be required for the course. Colleagues push books for each other. Publishers had a lack of competition and could dictate pricing points.
Here's an example: Since when have the basics of Trigonometry changed so substantially that students have to pay for a "new" and "improved" version of the textbook? Are math teachers so overworked that they cannot figure out how to assign homework problems that apply to a calendar year's worth of editions of the textbook?
Is the material that is being taught today so bereft of quality facts, quality theory, historical fact, and fundamentals that a three month school quarter can't pass before the content of the entire used textbook becomes irrelevant? Is the book publishing industry so incapable of producing far cheaper alternatives to bound books that a textbook, with cost effective supplements, can't be resold for at least a couple of years?
If students can't buy used textbooks for the bulk of their courses during a college year, I have suspicions about the quality of course content these days. Are the courses even useful, relevant, or well designed to begin with? Where can the instructor cooperate to insure that rapid changes in information is accommodated by lectures, supplemental material, or internet research? Why would a new text be mandatory when the new material will not even be current or useful after the course in completed?
The source of the problem is that teachers dictate which books are required. Some will take the time (in some cases less than an hour) to review the new edition and determine if the changes are worth mandating a new edition. Does the publisher offer cheaper forms of the material than in book form? Is the software bundle really necessary? The teachers are the first source of cheaper alternatives.
There are now some competitive alternatives to buying textbooks. We could hope that the online markets offer the benefits of comparison shopping. But, again, the teacher decides whether a costly book is required. We could look for passage of laws that require the publishers to inform teachers about cheaper alternatives: are there coverless, loose leaf or other stripped down versions of the book? Do students need the software and other goodies that come bundled with the book? Are those glossy, expensive printing methods for photos and graphics really necessary?
If the teacher can choose from a variety of publishing alternatives and order customized books, that would go a long way toward stopping some of the madness.
I do know that enterprising, poor students have always, and will always be capable of finding their own ways to end the madness. The more "creative" methods are not looking good for either the publisher's or the author's pocketbooks.
Learn more about this author, Elizabeth M. Young.
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No
Buying used textbooks can sometimes save students a bit of money. But one of the problems with this solution is that, often, the professors change the required textbook every semester.
One other way to reduce costs is to share a text book with a classmate. This solution will, however, require coordination and cooperation.
Another way to save is to photo copy or scan pages from the textbook.
Some classes such as literature classes don't really require you to have a specific text book. If you get a list of the required readings, you can go to the library and check out books that contain those works. You may, however, need to check out quite a few books.
Often, professors write their own textbooks and have an interest in their students buying new copies. While they have a right to supplement their income and determine the best methods of teaching their topic, this must be weighed against the interests of the students. Huge increases in the cost of tuition along with inflation in every other aspect of living make it even more imperative that the costs of textbooks be held to a minimum. Students, particularly on college campuses, should voice their opinions on this matter to the administration. It is important to have advocates for students' problems.
Some areas of study such as computer science, ecology, and biological sciences require up-to-date information. Rapid advancements in technology and new discoveries make textbooks soon become obsolete. Thus, it is understandable that the required textbooks for these classes would go through rapid change. But why not address this problem with supplements that contain revisions and up-dates rather than requiring an entire new book to be used?
Perhaps universities could publish their own textbooks and circumvent some of the costs of advertising, distribution, middlemen, and other costs. I believe some colleges already do this, but more should consider this route to saving money for students while still promoting the academic writings of their professors.
Since paper comes from trees and I am for conserving our forests, we should all promote the use of e books. This is a green practice that can earn our colleges some carbon credits which could be sold to offset inflation in other areas. It would also save money for the students while still allowing the professors to earn money from their writings.
Some classes have a negligible need for textbooks. Classes such as intermediate algebra and college algebra could be taught without requiring students to spend $100 on a book. When I took college algebra over ten years ago, my textbook for that course was $120. Heaven knows what it costs now. But I doubt the content has changed much. However, colleges and universities want to retain good teachers and may need to bend a little by giving them latitude in what their textbook requirements are, this in lieu of giving them a higher salary or more benefits. Would instructor salaries be adequate without the supplementary income from their writings? If we don't bend on this, our colleges and universities might lose some great teachers.
Buying used textbooks may not entirely solve the problem of the cost of textbooks, but it will continue to be one method of dealing with the problem. Motivated students will always find a solution to their problems and I have no doubt they will learn how to win this battle, too, using many methods and much ingenuity.
Learn more about this author, Elizabeth Wordsmith.
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