For the past three years Abilene Christian University has conducted an interesting experiment with possible implications for all institutions. As reported here earlier, ACU supplies its students with Apple's iPads. Naturally the tablets have become quite popular on campus, not only as conduits for Facebook, but also as e-readers.
Recently the school surveyed its incoming freshman population, asking them whether they would purchase their own such device if half the textbooks were available in digital form. Seventy-five percent said yes. (Since it's a private school, it's likely they got a different response at ACU than we would at a community college, but still…).
Another finding indicates that students won't use such tools if they are unable to write comments, highlight text, and perform complex tasks that cheaper varieties of e-readers can't do. For instance, students don't want to manipulate a PDF file—too slow and cumbersome for their tastes. This makes sense, but the market is currently proliferating with more sophisticated devices, and they are getting cheaper, too. The outlook seems pretty good that a "new normal" is coming.
"Smart" phones can also serve as readers, of course, and it's impressive how many community college students have these already.
In 2010, digital books accounted for only three percent of textbook sales, according the National Association of College Stores, as reported in the online publication Higher Ed. Morning. (This article is also the source for the survey information above.) So there is plenty of room for growth, which attracts the attention of potential vendors—not to mention investors. See this additional data from the piece:
Twenty percent of college students will possess iPads and other tablets by 2012, and digital book sale growth will double to $1.5 billion by 2015, accounting for twenty-five percent of market share.
Faculty members often comment that students who are given digital reading assignments sometimes come back saying the equipment "wouldn't work." To avoid this, a backup plan (such as a hard copy on reserve at the library) may be appropriate, according to some instructors. Teachers have always contended with "dog ate my homework" scenarios, so it would be shocking if such tales didn't persist, regardless of the format.
Comments