August 24, 2002
A growing trend in higher
education is saving students
big bucks. Electronic text
books may soon replace the
traditional hard bound books.
Education Specialist Sandra Yi has the story.
In this classroom, learning is hi-tech. Here students
study on line with electronic text books.
Brian Mitchell/Student: "I THINK
THAT'S DEFINITELY THE WAVE OF THE
FUTURE. IN OTHER COLLEGE PROGRAMS,
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER TO USE AN
E-TEXT, ESPECIALLY WHERE YOU HAVE
MULTIPLE TEXT BOOKS."
Trish Brooks/Student: "EVERYTHING'S
GOING TECHNICAL THESE DAYS AND
EVERYTHING IS GOING ON LINE AND ON
THE COMPUTER. I THINK IT'S JUST AN
EASIER WAY OF DOING THINGS."
This masters class at the University of Phoenix, a
school for working adults, uses electronic text books
as part of a new program called Resource. More than
10 percent of students here use them. Administrators
expect all courses will have e books in two years.
Darris Howe/V.P. and Director, Utah
Campus: "IT'S DEFINITELY ONE OPTION
THAT MANY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
ARE LOOKING AT."
Students can download a copy of the book onto a
computer or personal digital assistant. They can also
access updates or revisions, in six months, sooner than
publisher changes hard copy texts.
The most
appealing for students is the cost. E books cost $40
for undergraduates, $48 for graduates.
Brian Mitchell/Student: "I REALLY
LIKE THE FACT THE E TEXTBOOKS ARE
NOT 100 DOLLARS A PIECE."
Trish Brooks/Student: "I'M USED TO
SPENDING 100 DOLLARS ON TEXTBOOKS
AND THIS IS MUCH BETTER."
Other schools, like BYU, use electronic textbooks for
some classes. In fact, some BYU professors are
developing e texts that may be used in other schools,
including the University of Phoenix.
