Proximity of Equations,
Text, and Figures in Civil
Engineering E-Textbooks
Paul W. Richards
Brigham Young University
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Electronic Textbooks Are
Being Pushed
Are Electronic Textbooks As
Effective as Printed?
Daniel, D. B., and Woody, W. D. (2013). "E-textbooks at What Cost?
Performance and Use of Electronic vs. Print Texts." Computers &
Education, 62(0), 18-23.
• No significant difference in learning
• Electronic formats take longer to read
How Are Engineering
Textbooks Different?
Myers, D.G.
Psychology.
Seventh Ed.
Hibbeler, R.C.
Engineering
Mechanics:
Statics
Proximity
How Does Proximity Impact
Learning?
Mayer, R.E., et al., A Generative Theory of Textbook Design: Using Annotated
Illustrations to Foster Meaningful Learning of Science Text. Educational
Technology Research and Development, 1995. 43(1): p. 31-43.
What Happens to Proximity
in Engineering E-Textbooks?
Even Page
Odd Page
Odd Page
Now not
proximate
Now not
proximate
Printed Spread
Textbooks Used for Study
Results for Printed Books
Proximity of Referenced Objects (%)
Author
Same Page
Facing Page
Same Spread
Segui
50
16
66
McCormac
50
17
67
Geschwindner
33
16
49
Salmon and Johnson
46
27
72
All
45
19
63
• These results can be used to infer proximity in PDF versions
viewed one page, rather than one spread, at a time.
• Flowable-text versions have much lower proximity with some
approaching 0%.
Returning to the Ideal
“… page after page
of Leonardo’s
manuscripts have a
gentle but thorough
integration of text
and figure, a quality
rarely seen in
modern work.”
Edward Tufte
Conclusions and
Recommendations
• Proximity matters in scientific texts.
• Electronic textbooks have poor proximity
(50% or worse).
• Current-generation e-textbooks in science
and engineering should not be pushed.