From: Edward J. Harpham
Date: 4/21/99
Time: 10:13:11 PM
Remote Name: 206.173.141.76
I believe that Mel Dubnick is correct in arguing that textbooks are on the way out, but not quickly and probably not in the ways that we might think.
First, there still is an audience problem in our introductory classes. Surprisingly, I find myself having to argue with a significant portion of the student population that they must learn to use the internet and computers in their studies. But a significant number (decreasing) still believe that I am imposing too much upon them to go on-line. They want texts, not any thing fancy or original. Mind you, UTD is a high tech school, focusing on ee and computer science. But we are also a state school with a fairly sizable commuter population that is older. A good number of students simply don't have the high quality machines or connections needed. They still need texts for integrated on-line courses.
Second, supplemental texts are far more likely to die first because the web provides a vehicle for finding alternative readings that are often more current than those in supplemental texts. JSTOR which is now available in many libraries also makes "classic" ariticles accessible to students at no cost.
Third, I believe that we still need texts to provide students with nuts and bolts information on government and political processes. Students need to be exposed to facts about the political system before they can develop any sort of critical civic awareness. Too many of my students have strong beliefs about politics and government, but little understanding of how things run. And, perhaps worst of all, they have little historical sense. The New Deal might as well be the Revolutionary War.