I count myself lucky this semester to have been assigned more than just the usual type of textbook. Many of my classes have assigned actual books (books which someone might pick up outside of college). I was enjoying reading these today, so I thought I'd tell you a bit about my thoughts on the future of textbooks...
I never pass on an opportunity to recommend a book I've enjoyed, or ask people about opinions on books I want to read. Here's the unorthodox textbooks I've been assigned this semester:
All the Shah's Men by Stephen Kinzer, about the United State's involvement in overthrowing Prime Minister Mossadegh in Iran, and the consequences of this action.
The Fifties by David Halberstam, a rather unique collection of stories about what made the fifties the way they were... From TV to the Beats to Elvis, Halberstam's got it all.
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, not one I've actually read yet (we're doing it in class in a week or so), but I believe it's about how our food is grown, what we choose to eat, etc.
The Looming Tower, by Lawrence Wright, also one I haven't read yet, this is about Al-Qaeda and 9-11.
If you've read any of these, please share you thoughts with me in the comments!
My point in discussing this is that, aside from the usual gigantic, expensive glossy-paged "everything you need to know about Astronomy" (which I do have) -type book, one thing that makes college awesome is the opportunity to study other well-written non-fiction books. Of course, in high school, you'll be bound to get a few books for an English class, but outside of that, it's textbooks and teachers. College steps outside the sphere of the typical textbook.
This brings me to something else I've been thinking about. This Saturday, Apple releases the iPad. I don't know if I've mentioned that I'm an epic Apple fan, but I am very excited to see and use this new technology. Although, I don't currently have any plans to buy one. Perhaps a future model.
I bring this up because I have long wondered when devices like the Kindle and the iPad will start thinking smart and create an e-reader partnership with colleges. It makes so much sense for a college freshman to buy an e-reader device (though they're expensive, the student will use it over all four-years of college, and thus, it's a reasonable purchase), and then each semester, buy reasonably-priced e-copies of their textbooks. No carrying around multiple books, buying and selling used copies, etc. There ya have it, all your books, on one device.
I won't go on and on about the technological aspects of this plan, but I'm sure I'm not the first to think of it. I hope someone out there who holds sway in Apple or Amazon, or some other company, has had the same idea, and is working on it right now. Above all, I hope to benefit from this before I leave college.
That's it from me for now. I can't believe there are only four weeks left in the semester after this week wraps up. Wow, time is flying!
Cheers :)
2 comments:
It was my original intention to use the Amazon Kindle or the iPad as my e-book reader... though it appears that both Amazon and Apple are having difficulties in getting textbook publishers to sign on and provide the (already existing) electronic versions of their books.
So, for now, I use my laptop. Less convenient than a reader but much much more convenient (and cheaper) than lugging around huge and expensive textbooks.
I save about $300 every semester buying electronic versions of my textbooks, so if I could get them on an iPad, it would pay for itself in one school year!
I wouldn't be surprised if that idea, the kindle for texts idea, is not that far off. There is a larger screen version now that was created with textbooks in mind....I think for high school & college students it would make such great sense to be able to have all those big heavy texts in such an easy to transport gadget.
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