[ATTW-L] To Use a Textbook or Not to Use a Textbook. . .

[Pam Estes Brewer]

Katrina-


At Mercer we have tried our basic tc courses with and without texts.  I have come to the conclusion that a textbook or a robust set of pre-planned readings are important to my class.  However, we also are very cautious about textbook prices and books that come out with "new" editions every one to two years.  Generally, we try to select good texts that are priced below $100. I don't use a text book just to use one, but I do prefer resources (text or any media) that add rich content to a class.


Best,

Pam


Pam Estes Brewer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Technical Communication Department
Mercer University
Associate Fellow and Academic SIG Manager, STC
brewer_pe at mercer.edu<mailto:brewer_pe at mercer.edu>
Twitter @brewerpe


________________________________
From: ATTW-L <attw-l-bounces at attw.org> on behalf of Hinson, Dr. Katrina <KHINSON at tarleton.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2019 11:44 AM
To: attw-l at attw.org
Subject: [ATTW-L] To Use a Textbook or Not to Use a Textbook. . .

I've been puzzling over this question for a while and thought I'd see what others thought. It's time for book orders to our bookstore ( both for fall and for summer). Each time I have to place an order for books, I'm always shocked by the price of the text and then knowing the bookstore is  going to have its own mark up. In particular, I'm questioning the need for technical writing textbook. I have seriously contemplated not using a textbook for this particular class because I'm somewhat certain that few students actually use it; some students can't afford it; and, good information is also easily available online.  I'm also thinking the only reason I require a textbook is because of a mental mindset that associates college with textbooks. Anyway, I thought I'd see what others felt about textbooks - to use or not use.

I look forward to hearing your input.

With regard,

Dr. Katrina L. Hinson

Dr. Katrina Hinson,
Ph.D. Rhetoric, Writing and Professional Communication
Assistant Professor of English
Tarleton State University
“progress not perfection"

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