It is easily readable, conveniently portable, relatively cheaper, environmentally friendly and contains current and updated information. Such are the characteristics of an e-textbook when compared to a traditional paper book. Although proved to be much more practical, traditional paper books are still more popular amongst students. Why do students still prefer printed books compared to e-books? Will e-books slowly gain popularity in the near future? These are the questions that will be answered in this post.
In a recent article by Alexa Capeloto (2011), journalism textbooks are no longer relevant in the media world where information and technology face rapid changes. The waiting period between writing and publication requires such a long time that some parts of the books becomes outdated and inapplicable when it reaches the hands of college and university students. Digital books however does not offer a comfortable reading experience. Although students pay less for e-textbooks, they only receive PDF files and replicas of print pages. This does not allow highlighting, jotting down of notes and folding of the end of the page for markings. CourseSmart provides 90% of quality e-textbooks for students. A tablet like the iPad provides immediate information access, has the portability of a book and is affordable. Inkling, an e-textbook provider like ScrollMotion and MindTap can update information whenever the publisher finds necessary. In my opinion, e-textbooks are becoming better and more convenient to its users and will definitely replace print textbooks in the future. As it is becoming more user-friendly with providers like Inkling, an e-texbook will be able to do much more for its users. A genre is a grouping of texts which are similar in structure or subject matter (Thwaites, 1994). However, a genre can change according to its purpose and audience (Bernhardt, 1986). In this case, when information is transferred from a print book to an e-book, certain factors like its purpose and audience has to be taken into consideration. The problem that might be faced is the audience. As many people from the older generation are not familiar with technology, it might be difficult for them to access information from a computer or a tablet.
As technology and media evolve, it is important that we too adapt progressively in accordance with it. Whether in print book or e-book, information will remain as an important need in life.
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References
2. Thwaites, T, Lloyd, D, Mules, W, 1994, 'Tools for Cultural Studies: An Introduction.', chap. 5, South Melbourne: Macmillan
3. Bernhardt, S, A, 1986, 'Seeing the Text', College Composition and Communication, chap. 37, pp. 66-78.
