Emma Gonzalez
Staff Writer
A recent informal survey on campus found that 13 out of 20 college students prefer digital textbooks over hard copy for a variety of reasons.
While some surveyed said they like hard copy textbooks for retaining information and they feel they may be better for learning and retaining information, things such as physical space, convenience, and retention all impacted their preferences. But the main consideration driving their preference for digital was the lower price tag.
“They are usually easier to access and nine times out of 10, I don’t have to pay for them,” Maya Coles, a sophomore English major said. “ I think that works out for me better for my budget as a college student.”
College is already expensive with the cost of tuition, housing, meal plans and more. Digital textbooks are almost always cheaper than hard copy.
According to the National Student Services Inc., digital textbooks can cost up to 50% less than traditional physical textbooks. There are also renting and subscription options online that are more financially convenient.
Textbook prices for various subjects differ substantially, so some students feel they don’t have a choice if there is a digital option.
“Especially for chemistry,” Elian Trejo, a junior chemistry major, said. “It’s not accessible to first generation station students who are in STEM.”
Digital textbooks take up virtually no space as they are stored on a computer. It’s also much harder to lose a digital book.
“I prefer digital over hardcopy only because they are easier to access and I don’t have to look for them necessarily,” Julian Cedeno, a sophomore kinesiology major said. “I can always have them on my laptop, I don’t have to have them taking up space on my desk.”
Still, some students find hard copy textbooks easier to use. They say they focus and retain information better just having the physical book in front of them.
“I have always (preferred) hard copy because I feel as if it is easier to remember the content when you are reading from pages than from a screen,” Andrew Ruiz, senior political science major, said. “I find it similar to how when you write notes instead of typing notes, you remember it easier.”
“Hardcopy makes me feel like I’m actually doing something and makes me feel like I’m learning more with the material,” added Anexi Ruiz, freshman computer science major.
Emma Gonzalez can be reached at emma.gonzalez@laverne.edu.
Emma Gonzalez is a junior communications major with a concentration in public relations and a minor in marketing, and a staff writer for the Campus Times. Her interests include community involvement, art, traveling and writing. Emma’s long-term career objective revolves around working for a nonprofit organization that is passionate about helping a target group of individuals. Follow her on Handshake.
