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  • Brian Evans Econ Textbook Comp 2

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    The document compares the costs of traditional print textbooks versus free online textbooks for introductory economics students. It finds that the 124 students using traditional textbooks spent an average of $87.63 each, totaling $10,867, while the 129 students using free online textbooks with a purchase option spent an average of $24.76 each, totaling $3,194. This represents a savings of over $7,000 for a class of 40 students in one quarter and over $35,000 for one academic year. A survey found that most students using the free online option were satisfied without purchasing a printed book.

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    Results of field experimentation in the use of electronic textbooks in a classroom.

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    The document compares the costs of traditional print textbooks versus free online textbooks for introductory economics students. It finds that the 124 students using traditional textbooks spent an average of $87.63 each, totaling $10,867, while the 129 students using free online textbooks with a purchase option spent an average of $24.76 each, totaling $3,194. This represents a savings of over $7,000 for a class of 40 students in one quarter and over $35,000 for one academic year. A survey found that most students using the free online option were satisfied without purchasing a printed book.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    64 views12 pages

    Brian Evans Econ Textbook Comp 2

    Uploaded by

    robertclee1234
    The document compares the costs of traditional print textbooks versus free online textbooks for introductory economics students. It finds that the 124 students using traditional textbooks spent an average of $87.63 each, totaling $10,867, while the 129 students using free online textbooks with a purchase option spent an average of $24.76 each, totaling $3,194. This represents a savings of over $7,000 for a class of 40 students in one quarter and over $35,000 for one academic year. A survey found that most students using the free online option were satisfied without purchasing a printed book.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 12

    Traditional vs Online Textbook Cost Comparison

    by Brian Evans Economics Department Foothill College April 2010


    Surveyed 253 Introductory Econ students:

    124 in a class using a traditional book (Colander 7th edition)


    129 in a class using a free online book with option to buy Micro: Rittenberg & Tregarthen from Flatworld Knowledge (FWK) Macro: Tim Taylor from TextbookMedia.
    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College 1

    April 2010

    Factors Controlled for

    Class (Intro Econ) Time (traditional times) Timing (all surveys were given at time of Winter 2010 final exam)

    April 2010

    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College

    Factors Not Controlled for

    Instructor

    Potentially different need for / emphasis placed on buying a text for the class however we seem to be similar in this respect also

    April 2010

    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College

    Cost Comparison

    The 124 students using traditional textbook spent $10,867 cumulatively. An average of $87.63. The 129 students using the online textbook spent $3,194 cumulatively. An average of $24.76.

    April 2010

    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College

    Perspective

    For one class of 40 students this is a difference of $2,515. For one quarter of 4 such classes the difference is $10,060.

    For one year (3 quarters) + summer this will exceed $35,000.


    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College 5

    April 2010

    Other Factors

    Results would be magnified if we included drops and withdrawals. Results could be reduced due to bookstore buybacks however, few students do this: The FH bookstore bought back a total of 8 Econ books in the winter quarter.
    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College

    April 2010

    Assessing Quality of the Online Books

    31% (39/125) did not purchase anything. Of these:

    26% (10/39) used online 3+ times per week 28% (11/39) used online weekly 33% (13/39) used online only to review for tests 13% (5/39) never used online

    April 2010

    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College

    Student Happiness of Online Only

    54% (19/35) were happy with the online experience and glad they did not buy the book.

    46% (16/35) felt online was ok but wished they had purchased the book 0% (0/35) felt the online experience was not good and wished they had purchased the book.
    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College 8

    April 2010

    Use of online option by those that purchased a book (86/125 = 69%)


    3% (3/125): 3+ / week 15% (13/125): weekly 21% (18/125): only for tests 60% (52/125): never

    April 2010

    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College

    Pros and Cons of Online Textbooks

    Advantages:

    huge costs savings for students particularly helpful to low-income students portability Limited options for textbook presently Students may choose free online option but find it hard to read/study
    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College 10

    Disadvantages:

    April 2010

    The Question

    An assumption of economics is that those not paying the costs of something tend to discount those costs. So the question all instructors should honestly ask themselves is

    April 2010

    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College

    11

    The Question
    If you were going buy all the books for your students for one term would you choose a traditional book for $11,000 or save around $8,000 and buy an online book for $3,000?

    April 2010

    Brian Evans, Economics Department, Foothill College

    12

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