Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

Re: Textbook prices

___Dan wrote:


One solution to the problem of high-priced introductory books is for
students to buy used books and/or sell them back when the course is
over. Bookstores generally love this, but publishers hate it and
that's why new editions now come out every three or four years.

Sales of new books by publishers is not the only force acting here: publishers
perceive that a significant number of professors are of the opinion that
homework problems "wear out." That is, solutions get collected in fraternity
files and the like, so a constant supply of new problems is required.
Publishers say that they are giving faculty members what they ask for.
Fortunately, some publishers are simply publishing problem supplements.

JEG

__________________________________

John E. Gastineau john@gastineau.org
PMB #163 http://gastineau.home.mindspring.com
953 National Road (304) 243-9636 voice
Wheeling WV 26003-6440 (304) 243-9637 fax
USA