by Leigh Goessl

Created on: April 16, 2008   Last Updated: June 23, 2008

Education has embraced the electronic age and has successfully integrated technology with academics. First came the dynamic concept of bringing education to the virtual classroom in the form of distance learning programs, and now digital textbooks have begun to enter both traditional classrooms and the online environment as well. E-books are increasingly becoming a standard in higher education.

Many people wonder if digitized textbooks are an improvement over traditional course books or if they damper the learning experience. The usefulness of a digital text depends on how you look at it. There are many advantages and disadvantages to using e-books. Students accustomed to traditional textbooks typically have to work hard to adjust to this new format, but there is also certain attraction to being able to instantly obtain your textbook with a quick download.

Let's take a look at some of the other pros and cons associated with using digital textbooks:

ADVANTAGES
*Compact. E-books are efficient because you aren't bogged down with heavy backpacks and limited shelf space. All you need to do is download your e-book to your hard drive and you're good to go.

*Lower in cost. Since the overhead expenses in producing traditional textbooks are eliminated, e-textbooks are typically cheaper to buy. I recently took a course where the hardcover text was $175 and the e-textbook was $80; a significant savings, especially if you are a struggling student trying to make ends meet.

*On-demand learning. Purchasing your e-textbook couldn't be easier because it's a simple download and you have instant access to your reading assignments. There is no standing on line at the bookstore or waiting days (sometimes weeks!) for your book to arrive in the mail. Society has increasingly moved to an on-demand platform, and education is no exception. Many students relish in the fact they can instantly receive their textbook, saving both time and money.

*Easy to customize. The digital format makes it easy to highlight and bookmark pages without altering or defacing the book like you would with a traditional text. Once you are finished, it's easy to remove your highlights and other digital markings you may have made throughout the semester.

*Search features. The rapid speed of computer search features makes it convenient to quickly find a passage or phrase you need to find. All you need to do is plug in a few keywords and you can instantly retrieve the information you need.

DISADVANTAGES
*Portability. While

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