Vital Source and the Ingram Content Group announced the results of its annual survey revealing how students and professors are embracing digital textbooks.
The survey talked to 500 students and most are hopelessly addicted to their e-reader, smartphone or tablet. 45% of students said they usually do not go more than 10 minutes without using some form of technology during an average school day.
It is certainly apparent that digital textbooks may be on the rise, as 62% of students are using them regularly. 44% use mobile learning such as courses utilizing apps, social media and productivity tools. 33% use flipped classrooms including courses discussing video lectures watched prior to class
What are the reasons why students seem to be gravitating towards digital texts? 31% suggest the top benefit is that they make lessons easier to understand; 23% say they help them complete assignments more quickly; 21% say digital textbooks help them stay more organized.
One of the big reasons why students seem to be embracing the digital variants is chiefly due to their professors. 67% of students say their professors frequently recommend they purchase the e-text versions, compared to 52% in 2013.
Digital textbooks have really matured in the last few years, as Amazon and Google have both entered the market. Not only can you buy textbooks and read them in any of their official apps, but you can rent them for a day, week or semester. Renting the digital version saves students a copious amount of money in the long-term.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.