Traditional vs Online Textbook Cost Comparison传统与在线教科书的成本比较.pdf

Traditional vs Online Textbook Cost Comparison by Brian Evans Economics Department Foothill College April 2010 Surveyed 253 Introductory Econ students:  124 in a class using a traditional book (Colander 7th edition)  129 in a class using a free online book with option to buy  Micro: Rittenberg Tregarthen from Flatworld Knowledge (FWK)  Macro: Tim Taylor from TextbookMedia. Brian Evans, Economics April 2010 Department, Foothill College 1 Factors Controlled for…  Class (Intro Econ)  Time (traditional times)  Timing (all surveys were given at time of Winter 2010 final exam) Brian Evans, Economics April 2010 Department, Foothill College 2 Factors Not Controlled for…  Instructor  Potentially different need for / emphasis placed on buying a text for the class… however we seem to be similar in this respect also Brian Evans, Economics April 2010 Department, Foothill College 3 Cost Comparison  The 124 students using traditional textbook spent $10,867 cumulatively. An average of $87.63.  The 129 students using the online textbook spent $3,194 cumulatively. An average of $24.76. Brian Evans, Economics April 2010 Department, Foothill College 4 Perspective  For one class of 40 students this is a difference of $2,515.  For one quarter of 4 such classes the difference is $10,060.  For one yea