The Cost of Textbooks
I was reading the paper this weekend and noticed an article about custom textbooks in The Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB121565135185141235.html) that I wanted to share with you.
It seems as if many colleges and universities are working with publishers and distributors to create "custom" textbooks. While the concept sounds pretty good - tailoring the book to the course instead of the course to the book - the article claims that the impetus behind the move is mostly profit-related.
By customizing textbooks to fit specific courses, publishers cut out choices that college students have. Custom textbooks eliminate the possibility for students to look to the used textbook market to buy books. In economic terms, this only strengthens the monopoly that publishers have in the college textbook marketplace (and thus the high price of textbooks).
To date, Andrew Jackson has been approached various times about the implementation of custom textbooks. We have given it serious consideration because of the benefit of creating a better learning experience for the student; however, so far we have rejected the concept because it does not fit our current direction.
Our goal is to be the best provider of higher education at the lowest possible price. Everything we do must meet those two requirements: Best & Lowest.
With regard to textbooks, we have decided to take another path - working with the publishers to implement e-book options in our coursework. The e-book is a great concept, maintaining the level of quality existing in our current textbook choices while reducing the cost to the student.
We want to give AJU students more options instead of fewer options.
As an AJU student, you will have the choice between buying an e-book (if available from publisher), a hard-copy textbook, or even - yes - a used textbook if you wish.
We've also noticed a new trend toward creating free online textbooks. Although we have concerns about the provision of quality in the initial stages of these "free" options, we plan on monitoring the developments of this particular market and will move in that direction if we can meet our stated goals: Best & Lowest.
Happy Studying,
Don Kassner
It seems as if many colleges and universities are working with publishers and distributors to create "custom" textbooks. While the concept sounds pretty good - tailoring the book to the course instead of the course to the book - the article claims that the impetus behind the move is mostly profit-related.
By customizing textbooks to fit specific courses, publishers cut out choices that college students have. Custom textbooks eliminate the possibility for students to look to the used textbook market to buy books. In economic terms, this only strengthens the monopoly that publishers have in the college textbook marketplace (and thus the high price of textbooks).
To date, Andrew Jackson has been approached various times about the implementation of custom textbooks. We have given it serious consideration because of the benefit of creating a better learning experience for the student; however, so far we have rejected the concept because it does not fit our current direction.
Our goal is to be the best provider of higher education at the lowest possible price. Everything we do must meet those two requirements: Best & Lowest.
With regard to textbooks, we have decided to take another path - working with the publishers to implement e-book options in our coursework. The e-book is a great concept, maintaining the level of quality existing in our current textbook choices while reducing the cost to the student.
We want to give AJU students more options instead of fewer options.
As an AJU student, you will have the choice between buying an e-book (if available from publisher), a hard-copy textbook, or even - yes - a used textbook if you wish.
We've also noticed a new trend toward creating free online textbooks. Although we have concerns about the provision of quality in the initial stages of these "free" options, we plan on monitoring the developments of this particular market and will move in that direction if we can meet our stated goals: Best & Lowest.
Happy Studying,
Don Kassner
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