Since Northwest turned on the Electronic Campus more than 20 years ago, the University has developed a reputation for being one of the most tech-savvy in Missouri - from the laptops that accompany many Bearcats to class, to the mass text messages they will receive in the event of an emergency.
This year, the University hopes to take yet another technological step forward by implementing an electronic textbook program as early as the spring trimester.
Northwest, in cooperation with Sony, will pilot the Reader Digital Book (eReader) program beginning next week.
Similar to an iPod, the eReader contains a library capable of holding up to 160 downloadable, digital versions of conventional textbooks, or eBooks, along with other documents, like class syllabuses.
Combined, the eReaders and eBooks would replace the majority of conventional textbooks currently available through the University's textbook rental program. Gone would be the days of heavy backpacks and overloaded Hy-Vee paper bags during textbook pickup.
The price isn't too bad either; the University received the manufacturer's discount for the eReaders it will distribute during the pilot (from $300 to $277.50 apiece). If the pilot is successful, the institution will buy the remaining devices in bulk for a deeper price cut. Current student textbook rental fees would stay the same, University officials predict.
Northwest would become the first institution in the country to start up an electronic textbook program, according to Sony. President Dean Hubbard boldly declared he'd never buy a traditional book (textbook or otherwise) again if it were available as an eBook. The two parties firmly believe electronic textbooks will become an educational norm in the future.
However, being the leader isn't always easy, especially when it comes to pioneering new technology.
When the Northwest community first learned about the idea, several had questions about the technology. It was a combination of curiosity and resistance; teachers and students seemed willing to give Sony a chance but hesitant to completely give up their textbooks, which are certainly more conducive to highlighting passages, making notes in the margins and supplementing text with colorful pictures and graphics.
However, Paul Klute, assistant to the president, said 50 faculty members showed interest in using eReaders for their classes. The volunteers were from a wide range of departments and classes. Classes will be chosen for the pilot based on the availability of textbooks. Then, students in those classes will receive eBooks, with the correct textbooks already downloaded.
Sony and Northwest are working on an evaluation procedure for faculty and students to complete toward the end of the trimester. Klute said quantitative data, such as test scores and final grades, would be used in addition to comments, concerns and questions.
The Northwest Missourian challenges those students and faculty to push their eReaders to the limit during the pilot. The opinions of just a fraction of the Northwest population will help determine the future of textbooks at Northwest.
We urge pilot participants to take this opportunity seriously. Provide the University with honest, thorough feedback - positive and negative - about this new technology. Electronic textbooks have the potential to lead Northwest into a new era of teaching and learning. However, the University must know it's doing the right thing for its faculty and students.
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