Would U Rather Have Hard Copy Textbooks?

Just curious...

I know with some DL programs your materials are online/CD. Some programs you actually buy the books. Which would you rather have? Hard copy textbooks, online/cd's, or it doesn't matter one way or the other?

 

I prefer text books. The MS at TUI was all CD's and NCU is text books.

TEXTBOOKS FOR SURE

 

Textbooks, UOP doesn't have them either,

I get all of mine from www.half.com

 

Yes.

 

I actually like a combination of the two. Several classes I have had recently included a CD version of the text that made it convenient for travel. Another class I currently am taking has an interface to the textbook publisher where the digital version of the text is accessed via password, etc...

If I had to choose between one or the other i always take the textbook option. I have textbooks that are over 20 years old and often refer to some of these because the material is still a foundation for modern technology and in many instances this material is not readily available anymore. I also like textbooks because I can have multiple items open side by side without reducing my screen capture or requiring multiple monitors if using a digital version .

But mostly I think of 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradberry. Books are are a comfort to me and fit with study or relaxation.

 

I agree

That I would rather have the textbooks also. I teach for UOP and I always request a hard copy of the text. I like to be able to have something tangible to flip through and some of my students feel the same way. I was just wondering if others do as well.

 

Definitely textbooks. They're more portable--it's really a pain loading the tower and the monitor and the keyboard and mouse into the car whenever I go out, and then hauling it all in to the library is another thing entirely, and looking for plugs. I used to write notes on the screen with a dry erase marker, but eventually the whole thing had a kind of purple haze to it... You can write notes in books all you want and they stay right on the page where you put 'em. Not so with computer stuff.

 

My boss has told me that someday soon I'm going to be given a nice new notebook (I guess they don't call them laptops anymore). Maybe then I can begin to get accustomed to reading everything fron a computer screen. Until then however, I still seem to really, really understand stuff better if I've got a piece of paper (or a textbook) in my hand. Gimme the book every time.
Jack
(I know this makes me a kind of dinosaur . . . so what?)

 

WHAT! Laptop is not PC anymore?

I am behind on the times!

I only use my notebook [laptop] when I am on travel for typing papers and doing research. When it comes to reading page after page of course material; give me an old fashion textbook!

 

I prefer the actual text book to be in print but I enjoy supporting materials in CD/online format. The combination of the two seems to work well for me.

Pug

 

Re: I agree

I'm currently taking and have taken several classes at UoP and I HATE getting the book in .pdf format. The math classes however, use a textbook.

One reason I'm leaving-among a host of others!

 

So what school are you heading to?

 

I have enrolled at Excelsior College. It MUCH cheaper and is very flexible about how you earn your credits.

 

My preferences: both

I suspect most answers to this question may reflect personal perference to a great extent - with perhaps necessity moderating those preferences. In my case it is both.

I am a confirmed bookworm with volumes on the bookshelf from previous undergraduate and graduate days that I still use as references.

However, I would not have survived my Capella MS if I had been in a "book only" mode. All but the first quarter was spent on the road engaged in proposal writing and project startup preparations. Books (when required) were FedExed/UPSed to remote office locations or hotels. Some made it in time and some did not.

While books are a part of my personal psyche I relied on my laptop/notebook/portable non-desktop PC, CDs, .pdfs, downloaded references, etc. to complete my coursework and final project. I now have all 1200 references used during the MS loaded on the laptop (and CDs) which have proven to be a portable and very useful solution.

I fully anticipate the doctorate to be completed in the mobile environment as well.

 

cd-rom for me

I'm a TUI student and now prefer electronic copies. I've standardized on .pdfs and now have a library of over 600 pdf files from by phd program. Searching electronically, having them be portable between devices and able to back them up is invaluable.

Coupled with Endote, electronic text have become very flexible and enjoyable. Books are fine sometimes, but not having to purchase, mail/ship texts are now my preferred method.

Reggie

 

At EBS you get both a password protected online version of the Text books in HTML and PDF, which are downloadable and you get a printed Text book. There is not reason why you cannot have both and use both to suit convenience or preference.

Students may take the downloadable version to their PC, laptop, notebook, usually arriving online from Scotland, UK, or receive the printed Text via mail/courier, or they can print off a copy of the Textbook themselves (saves on courier/postal charges and customs duties, forwarding costs and risks of non-delivery).

The online Text is always up to date, while the printed text is often a couple of years old, or more recent if a new Text block has been sent out.

With the availability of low priced, high speed printers, including with colour capacity, the downloadable Text is excellent quality and value.

 

I vote for printed textbooks -- easier to read, often easier to annotate, and I can sell them afterward if I don't want to keep them.

 

I sit in front of a computer the whole day. I site in front of a computer at home. I've had courses with both online/web based format and textbook format. I prefer textbooks. It's easier to read, easier for me to concentrate and I find I don't get distracted as easily. Plus it's easier to underline and write down comments on a book ... unless you've got a tablet pc.

 

I like textbooks!

Abner

 

Hi JayinCali,


I have to say that the non-text book thing is a common complaint among UOP students.

I definitely prefer the texts over e-books, especially because I don't have the years of management experience that many of my collegues do, so I need the theory as well as practicality of the course content. Also, I sit in front of a computer most of the day, I don't really enjoy reading texts that way too. That's half the reason why I am pursuing my graduate degree @ GWU, among others.