Comments on: Kindle for textbooks http://www.joannejacobs.com/2009/05/kindle-for-textbooks/ Thinking and Linking by Joanne Jacobs Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:51:22 +0000 hourly 1 By: Vandal Savage http://www.joannejacobs.com/2009/05/kindle-for-textbooks/#comment-46525 Vandal Savage Fri, 08 May 2009 23:35:55 +0000 http://joannejacobs.com/?p=8916#comment-46525 I long for the day when all students have laptops, and all their books come on DVD-ROMs. Then, all they have to do is print out stuff when necessary, or desired. Of course, there will always be print versions of textbooks; such as having a few copies in the libarary for reference, and students having the option to order a print copy for full price if they wish (which I'm sure that some, but not many, would take up the offer). Of course, this dream is still a few decades a way; everything from students' self-discipline with technology to the cost of laptops to textbook companies overcoming current politics will have to change first. But it will... It's just a matter of time. I long for the day when all students have laptops, and all their books come on DVD-ROMs. Then, all they have to do is print out stuff when necessary, or desired.

Of course, there will always be print versions of textbooks; such as having a few copies in the libarary for reference, and students having the option to order a print copy for full price if they wish (which I’m sure that some, but not many, would take up the offer).

Of course, this dream is still a few decades a way; everything from students’ self-discipline with technology to the cost of laptops to textbook companies overcoming current politics will have to change first. But it will… It’s just a matter of time.

]]> By: Virgil http://www.joannejacobs.com/2009/05/kindle-for-textbooks/#comment-46524 Virgil Fri, 08 May 2009 02:23:31 +0000 http://joannejacobs.com/?p=8916#comment-46524 When it comes down to it do we really need textbooks. And as for university use, they will require the texts be purchased as there is way to much revenue to lose if they would go this route. When it comes down to it do we really need textbooks. And as for university use, they will require the texts be purchased as there is way to much revenue to lose if they would go this route.

]]> By: Barbie http://www.joannejacobs.com/2009/05/kindle-for-textbooks/#comment-46523 Barbie Thu, 07 May 2009 20:25:01 +0000 http://joannejacobs.com/?p=8916#comment-46523 It might work out well if an $80 paper textbook could be made available on Kindle for, say, $30. Of course, that will never happen if a university just decides on behalf of its student population to force everyone to use it rather than giving students a choice. It might work out well if an $80 paper textbook could be made available on Kindle for, say, $30. Of course, that will never happen if a university just decides on behalf of its student population to force everyone to use it rather than giving students a choice.

]]> By: Mark Roulo http://www.joannejacobs.com/2009/05/kindle-for-textbooks/#comment-46522 Mark Roulo Thu, 07 May 2009 16:40:36 +0000 http://joannejacobs.com/?p=8916#comment-46522 <blockquote> I bet the textbook companies LOVE this. Kills the used-book market dead, because they can write in a clause that the particular copy be only used on one Kindle device and be non-transferrable. </blockquote> They will until the DRM gets hacked and students start downloading textbooks for free (like they do MP3 files today). -Mark Roulo

I bet the textbook companies LOVE this. Kills the used-book market dead, because they can write in a clause that the particular copy be only used on one Kindle device and be non-transferrable.

They will until the DRM gets hacked and students start downloading textbooks for free (like they do MP3 files today).

-Mark Roulo

]]> By: ricki http://www.joannejacobs.com/2009/05/kindle-for-textbooks/#comment-46521 ricki Thu, 07 May 2009 16:19:01 +0000 http://joannejacobs.com/?p=8916#comment-46521 I bet the textbook companies LOVE this. Kills the used-book market dead, because they can write in a clause that the particular copy be only used on one Kindle device and be non-transferrable. Then again, it will also kill the tendency of students to sell back their textbooks the week before finals (because they get more money). I don't see smaller public institutions doing this - they can't afford to provide every student a Kindle, and at least where I teach, it would be seen as another burden on a student populace that is already not doing that well financially. (And I kind of hope they don't. Do they make the faculty buy Kindles so they can continue to use the textbooks?) I bet the textbook companies LOVE this. Kills the used-book market dead, because they can write in a clause that the particular copy be only used on one Kindle device and be non-transferrable.

Then again, it will also kill the tendency of students to sell back their textbooks the week before finals (because they get more money).

I don’t see smaller public institutions doing this – they can’t afford to provide every student a Kindle, and at least where I teach, it would be seen as another burden on a student populace that is already not doing that well financially. (And I kind of hope they don’t. Do they make the faculty buy Kindles so they can continue to use the textbooks?)

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