Faculty Views on eTextbooks: A narrative study

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Faculty Views on eTextbooks: A narrative study

J. Bossaller
J. Kammer

Abstract

eTextbooks are both texts and tools. They provide opportunities for textbook companies to expand their services. Some large textbook companies are offering extensive educational technology products and services along with texts. These etexts, integrated into the Learning Management System (LMS), give instructors opportunities to use integrated assessments, data collection tools with in-depth usage statistics, and social networking features that allow instructors and students to interact within the publisher’s material. News stories often discuss problems with blended and online learning and contentious relationships between faculty and vendors, etexts are part of the discussion. This paper describes findings from narrative interviews with instructors who have used etexts, focusing on affordability, access, privacy, and outsourcing. The goal is to inform instructors and administrators of some pros and cons of etexts.

Keywords

Electronic supplemental materials, etext, etextbook, Policy

Annotation

This study takes a qualitative approach to find instructors’ use and opinions on etexts. Instructors have a number of pros and cons they find in etexts including: affordability, access, privacy, and outsourcing of educational material. Instructors were cognizant of students’ worries of class material and texts costs and how students’ post-class desires and need might fit into their likelihood of purchasing physical books or etexts. Instructors were thankful for etext publishers’ ability to quickly fix and resolve problems regarding errors or mistakes in material that is not available in physical books.

A number of instructors voiced concern over the university’s relationship with publishers and if contracts between publishers and the school were in the best interest of students. This weariness was primarily expressed in educational value and whether partnership became about making a profit or educating and serving students with quality products.

The researchers offer a number of suggestions for instructors considering incorporating etexts into their classes for best use including: planning, developing, implementing, and delivering.

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About the Study

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