Potential Advantages and Disadvantages of Digital Textbooks

Abstract

Purchasing textbooks is a major expense that students face when going to college. A recent study by the College Board reported students paid on average $1240 for textbooks and educational supplies during the 2018-2019 academic year. This amount has increased roughly 38% since last reported in 2016. With educational costs rising students are looking for alternative ways to purchase needed course materials. In recent years students have slowly transitioned away from purchasing printed textbooks to renting required course materials as a cost saving strategy. This change in the textbook market has resulted in publishers suffering a loss in revenue which results in decreased royalties for authors. Textbook publishers have Potential Advantages and Disadvantages of Digital Textbooks