Online Books for Classes

It's a tad bit cliche, but this generation really is growing up in a technology run world. Even learning, which seems so basic and traditional, is turning into something that makes us dependent on all types of battery-operated monitors, hard drives and websites. This first and only textbook I have read online was the book for my sophomore year AP Psychology class. I knew it would be a lot different, even though it was still very expensive like a normal bound textbook. There's that sense that it is cool to have online textbooks, you don't need to drag your textbook around everywhere, but you do need a way to access it online. Most online textbooks I'd imagine require using the internet to get to, and when there is no internet, you are out of luck.

I don't know If I am "for" or "against" these new online textbooks. Why have only some curriculums switched over and others haven't? The textbook companies still make money if the version is online, so why switch over in the first place? It is a great way to save paper, and there is unlimited data out there in the cyber world, but is it more convenient for students? I think we will have to wait and see. One of the big problems I see with online textbooks is that textbooks are meant to be read, and this reading session could be anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours. That is 20 minutes to 3 hours staring at a computer/ipad/phone screen that really strains your eyes. Also, the computer is a distracting device. When you need to go on the internet to access a textbook, it is so easy to click "New Tab" and open up, for example Facebook, or your email, or whatever have you. As opposed to reading a traditional textbook, there is no diverting your attention from the actual book because it is the only information being provided, unlike the internet.

I hope that in the future they find a good medium between heavy textbooks and online textbooks that could hurt students focusing ability and strain their eyes.