College instructors are moving away from print textbooks
and using more digital course materials, according to students surveyed for the
most recent Book Industry Study Group survey. The report,
Student Attitudes Toward Content in Higher Education, also found that use of tablet
computers is on the rise, but textbook rental numbers have dipped.
“Today’s students are becoming increasingly flexible
about their course materials selections, and more open to new product
innovations than ever before,” said Nadine Vassallo, project manager, research
and information, for BISG.
The survey found 11% of responding students reported
their classes required “no formal course materials” in October 2013, up from 4%
just three years earlier. Students also said they preferred
tablet versions of textbooks over PDFs or print textbooks.
At the same time, about 17% of students said they
rented textbooks, down from 19% last spring. Three quarters of the students who
did rent said they were either somewhat or very satisfied with the experience.