CS 410
Kate Nguyen
Presentation I
Societal Problem
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In the information age, as our
knowledge increases rapidly,
textbooks get heavier and
environment suffers.
Textbooks are getting heavier
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There are a number of factors that contribute to the size
and weight of textbooks. Among them are the NASTA
specifications, the lack of unified standards, the use of
graphics, interest groups, and the proliferation of content.
Source: National Association of State Textbook Administrators (NASTA)
Are We Consuming Too 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
Industry
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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
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 Textbooks
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Tablet PC
Software that converts pdf files to
digital format textbook
CD-ROMS and other supplementary
are integrated into the textbooks
Wireless technology make textbooks
more lively
Touch Screen
Windows operating system
How Does It Work?
Competitions
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Fujitsu digital textbooks
- South Korea
- Elementary and middle school
E-Books - Rocketbook, Softbook
- Missing the ability to work with the screen
- No Touch Screen
- Eye strains from scrolling
Pros
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Versatility - searchable highlights, making it easier for you
to relocate important sections you've marked.
- Note taking
Portability - Slim, light, can be tucked under arms like a
book.
- Storage
Easily Updated
Accessibility - sketching and handwriting are much more
familiar form of input than a keyboard and a mouse,
especially for people who are new with compute
Durability
Textbooks are costing more
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Increasing on an average of 6% a year
The price of textbook from 1986 to 2004 has almost
tripled
Reduce Cost In The Long Run
Publishers and vendors save the costs of printing,
binding, warehousing, shipping, and handling retailer
returns; content updates are vastly easier.
Source: Krammin Textbooks Exchange
Cons
Different publishers, different digital textbooks.
--> Standardized PC tablet and digital textbooks
 Replace teachers?
-->The analysis, synthesis and application of that
information is what professors, not digital textbook
offers
 Some people like to read on printed textbook
 Can’t sell used books
-->Reduce used books leads to diminishing
unnecessary new editions
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Reference
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http://www.kramming.com/textbooks-cost-22.php
http://thejournal.com/articles/6351
http://jkotherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/2006/02/usa_today_says_.
html
http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/41713_2/
http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2000/08/38059
http://chronicle.com/free/2002/08/2002082601t.htm
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consumerawareness/a/gaobookco
sts.htm
www.umaryland.edu/facultysenate/
documents/Archive/GAO%20Report%20Highlights.pdf
http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/v9933e/V9933E01.htm#ch1.4.1
http://www.publishers.org/SchoolDiv/issues/issues_06_SizeWeig
ht/SummitSizeWeightTextbooks.pdf