Textbooks for the 21st Century

Hi-Tech Advancements

This change in methods of teaching and learning has taken hold at colleges and universities as they work to integrate technology into every aspect of the classroom experience and daily campus life.  Keeping pace with this trend, publishers are working hand in hand with educators to incorporate hi-tech advancements into textbooks and other course materials. 

College textbooks have evolved from paper, ink and cardboard into digital-based comprehensive learning systems that includes online study guides, practice tests, tutorials, graded homework and 24-hour study centers.  When preparing for class, students can watch a video clip that corresponds to a particular chapter in their textbooks or take graded practice tests that provide an immediate response, pinpointing errors and explaining solutions. 

Improved Academic Performance

The best news is that these technological advances are improving students’ academic performances, resulting in better grades, higher retention rates and an increase in the number of courses passed.

At the University of Alabama, for example, the pass rate for students taking an Intermediate Algebra class doubled from 40 percent to 80 percent after the class was redesigned to rely more heavily on publisher-produced supplemental materials and instructional software.

The expanding range of resources also enables students to personalize their study habits by finding materials that best complement their learning styles. Visual learners can watch 3-D graphic simulations and animated videos on concepts. Auditory learners can listen to a lecture on their mp3 players, watch a video lecture, or visit an online study center to hear step-by step instructions on how to solve a problem. 

Demands for Technology

As professors work to adapt their instruction to match the wide variety of students’ learning styles and educational backgrounds, demand for and use of contemporary educational systems continue to grow. In fact, a recent Zogby International study found that 86 percent of instructors require or recommend supplemental materials to better ensure student success. At the community college level, 63 percent of all instructors are using supplemental teaching materials, including CDs, online self-assessment tests, interactive learning tools, and online homework.
 
In order to take full advantage of these tools, students shouldn’t forget to plan for their course materials costs.  When calculating core education budgets, many do not factor in textbooks and supplies, which can be an unfortunate mistake.  In some instances, students even forego purchasing these key tools because they did not budget accurately.

As a reference point, in 2006, the average student spent about $670 on textbooks and other course materials, according to Student Monitor, a student research service.  But keep in mind that this figure can fluctuate substantially based on major, institution and region.