Pros and Cons of Digital Textbooks Source:Chicago Tribune Lifestyle Published: August 7, 2013

Pros and Cons of Digital Textbooks

Source:Chicago Tribune LifestylePublished: August 7, 2013

By: Katie Miller

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-08-07/features/ct-x-0807-college-kids-eyes-20130807_1_print-textbooks-digital-textbooks-computer-vision-syndrome

E-books ● College students who study with digital textbooks perform

just as well on tests as do their peers who use print

textbooks

● colleges and universities are looking at the pros and cons of

using digital textbooks

● Did an experiment where About half of the 233 participants

used print textbooks, while the others used iPad 2 hand-held

computers.

.

Highlights of the E-books● Super convenient ● You can get your books on a laptop, iPad, or

even on your phone● The participants say that it was very easy to

navigate the material● The professors like digital texts because they

can provide more current material than print textbooks, which can take a year or two to get to print.

Cons of the E-books● The biggest drawbacks of digital texts cited by the participants

were eye strains, cost and potential technological problems.● One person even said they were nauseous after just a short

time reading. ● The medical term is "computer vision syndrome" said Dr.

Dennis Siemsen.● The problem is threefold:

○ One is accommodation○ Second, many devices are back-lit so you're staring at a bright

screen○ Third, we tend to have our eyes wide open when looking at a

screen, as opposed to partially open when we hold a book.

Continuation ● The students are also worried about

the cost.● All student also can’t afford the best

devices.● Students said they also worry

about not being able to access digital texts because of mechanical problems such as low battery life.

● Some participants just prefer to hold a book in their hands and turn the pages.

How does it change education?● The e-books make it more convenient.● They are more eco friendly● Keeps up with this technology focused

society of today.● They provide more current information giving

student the best resources.● Multitasking

VIDEOhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=JcJclgSJ0Fc

My Opinion● Personally I like textbooks because I like to have a book in

my hands.● I like writing notes in a book instead of typing them.● I disagree with the article though, because sometimes e-

books are cheaper than regular books.(depends on if you're buying or renting etc.)

● I personally can’t concentrate for long staring at a screen.● I think it is good for the fact that now a days technology is so

important.● You don’t have to carry so many heavy books.

Questions● Do you think that over the next 5 years

books will still be used or will everything be e-books?

● Would you personally rather used textbooks or e-books, and why?

● Do you think there is a difference in learning from an e-book and a textbook?