CS 410CS 410

Kate NguyenKate Nguyen

Presentation IPresentation I

Societal ProblemSocietal Problem In the information age, as our In the information age, as our

knowledge increases rapidly, knowledge increases rapidly, textbooks get heavier and textbooks get heavier and environment suffers. environment suffers.

Textbooks are getting heavierTextbooks are getting heavier

There are a number of factors that contribute to the size There are a number of factors that contribute to the size and weight of textbooks. Among them are the NASTA and weight of textbooks. Among them are the NASTA specifications, the lack of unified standards, the use of specifications, the lack of unified standards, the use of

graphics, interest groups, and the proliferation of content.graphics, interest groups, and the proliferation of content.

Source: National Association of State Textbook Administrators (NASTA)

Are We Consuming Too Are We Consuming Too Much Paper?Much Paper?

World Consumption of paper has grown four hundred percent in the last 40 years.The U.S, which contains only 5% of the world’s population , uses 30% of all paper

Pictured is a NASA image of total vegetation in the western hemisphere where most paper is consumed.Source: Ecology, Inc

Textbooks & The Paper Textbooks & The Paper IndustryIndustry According to the U.S. Toxic Release Inventory report published

by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, pulp and paper mills are the worst polluters to air, water, and land of any industry in the country.

46% of paper made is cultural paper which used to produce 46% of paper made is cultural paper which used to produce newspaper, books, writing paper, etc. newspaper, books, writing paper, etc.

Tree farms help feed the demand for wood, but can’t provide the plant and animal diversity. Using alternatives for wood such as ambary would be costly

Source: Food and agriculture organization of the united nations.

Ecology Inc.

Digital TextbooksDigital Textbooks Tablet PCTablet PC Software that converts pdf files to Software that converts pdf files to

digital format textbookdigital format textbook CD-ROMS and other supplementary CD-ROMS and other supplementary

are integrated into the textbooksare integrated into the textbooks Wireless technology make textbooks Wireless technology make textbooks

more livelymore lively Touch ScreenTouch Screen Windows operating systemWindows operating system

How Does It Work?How Does It Work?

CompetitionsCompetitions

Fujitsu digital textbooksFujitsu digital textbooks

- South Korea- South Korea

- Elementary and middle school- Elementary and middle school E-Books - Rocketbook, SoftbookE-Books - Rocketbook, Softbook

- Missing the ability to work with the screen- Missing the ability to work with the screen

- No Touch Screen- No Touch Screen

- Eye strains from scrolling- Eye strains from scrolling

ProsPros Versatility -Versatility - searchable highlights, making it easier for you searchable highlights, making it easier for you

to relocate important sections you've marked.to relocate important sections you've marked.

- Note taking- Note taking Portability - Slim, light, can be tucked under arms like a Portability - Slim, light, can be tucked under arms like a

book. book.

- Storage- Storage Easily UpdatedEasily Updated Accessibility - sketching and handwriting are much more Accessibility - sketching and handwriting are much more

familiar form of input than a keyboard and a mouse, familiar form of input than a keyboard and a mouse, especially for people who are new with computeespecially for people who are new with compute

Durability Durability

Textbooks are costing moreTextbooks are costing more Increasing on an average of 6% a yearIncreasing on an average of 6% a year The price of textbook from 1986 to 2004 has almost The price of textbook from 1986 to 2004 has almost

tripledtripled

Reduce Cost In The Long Reduce Cost In The Long RunRun

Source: Krammin Textbooks Exchange

Publishers and vendors save the costs of printing, binding, warehousing, shipping, and handling retailer returns; content updates are vastly easier.

ConsCons

Different publishers, different digital textbooks. Different publishers, different digital textbooks.

--> Standardized PC tablet and digital textbooks--> Standardized PC tablet and digital textbooks Replace teachers?Replace teachers?

-->The analysis, synthesis and application of that -->The analysis, synthesis and application of that information is what professors, not digital textbook information is what professors, not digital textbook offersoffers

Some people like to read on printed textbookSome people like to read on printed textbook Can’t sell used booksCan’t sell used books

-->Reduce used books leads to diminishing -->Reduce used books leads to diminishing unnecessary new editionsunnecessary new editions

ReferenceReference

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usa_today_says_.htmlusa_today_says_.html http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/41713_2/http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/41713_2/ http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2000/08/38059http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2000/08/38059 http://chronicle.com/free/2002/08/2002082601t.htmhttp://chronicle.com/free/2002/08/2002082601t.htm http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consumerawareness/a/http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consumerawareness/a/

gaobookcosts.htmgaobookcosts.htm www.umaryland.edu/facultysenate/ documents/Archive/GAOwww.umaryland.edu/facultysenate/ documents/Archive/GAO

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issues_06_SizeWeight/SummitSizeWeightTextbooks.pdfissues_06_SizeWeight/SummitSizeWeightTextbooks.pdf