Attitudes on Traditional Textbooks vs.
eBooks of Learners at the University
of Mindanao’s Engineering Department: An Ethnographic Study
Submitted by:
Mori Jekiri Mutia
LJ Lourenz R. Antiquiza
Reuni John Marasigan
Rujan Acapulco
Cedric James Eronico
GE 2 – Purposive Communication
3472
November 15, 2022
Rationale
In the field of education, students of all generations are equipped with books and
writing materials as their mode of learning. As modernization is fast approaching , there
is an emergence of new technology that has changed the learning set up. This opened
a new mode of reading in which students can now access a book or any learning
materials through the use of technology or any electronic material. According to
Gardiner & Musto (2010), a book release that has been made digitally accessible and
that can be viewed on a computer screen or other flat-panel electronic device is known
as an ebook. When given definition, a printed textbook is the physical form of a book
that allows greater engagement with the material (Ivić, 2019). A similar study of (Woody,
Daniel & Baker), demonstrated the comparison of learning through printed textbooks
vs. eBook, examined the factors that influenced a learner’s preference, and
conceptualized the existence of correlation between the two.
In a global context, Edmondson & Ward (2017) found that learners favored
paperback textbooks even after recognizing the disadvantages in terms of its cost and
considered different factors which concerns health, ownership desires that allowed them
to prefer or disliked the various textbooks. On the other hand, a study of (Welsen, Pike
& Walker, 2020) students have adapted to the new learning set up of utilizing eBook
platforms that enables them to come up with strategies as forced engagement giving
them time to produce a new perception.
In addition, a quantitative-comparative study of ( Javellana, Jover & Perez,
2014), concluded in their study that according to students, using a tablet or electronic
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device is more convenient to use along with the risks related to a better learning
environment.
As students become more literate in the aspect of education, it is vital to evaluate
the mode of learning that they utilize in order to assess what kind of strategies they
should adapt in becoming an effective learner. In addition, educators must be aware of
the variety of preference a student is inclined to perform. Through this, they will be able
to provide different resources that will help in developing a student’s capability and the
process of effectiveness. This study will only determine the mode of choice that a
student wants rather than concluding which of either results to a more productive
learning.
With these, this study aims to assess Engineering Students at University of
Mindanao Matina Campus students’ preference among two different textbook types:
traditional textbooks and eBooks. Also, the researchers would like to determine the rate
of both variables chosen for the study. The accomplishment of the specific objectives
will set this study apart from others. Through this, it will impart new and further
knowledge that already exists regarding this topic. As such, this study will undertake a
contribution to the institution that will be utilized in evaluating the effective mode of
learning set up. Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:
1. Why are traditional textbooks or digital books objectively, subjectively, or
significantly better than the other?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using physical and
tangible textbooks? of eBooks?
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3. Do the costs of eBooks accurately reflect their value? Likewise, do the
advantages of using physical textbooks outweigh the disadvantages?
In conducting this research, the researchers will make use of qualitative
ethnographic study in order to gather necessary data. This approach is essential if the
data is collected through observations and interviews in an uncontrolled environment
(Flick, Kardorff & Steinke , 2004).
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References
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Gardiner, E. and Musto, R.(2010). "The Electronic Book." In Suarez, Michael Felix, and
H. R. Woudhuysen. The Oxford Companion to the Book. Oxford: Oxford
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Ivić, I. (2019). Printed and digital media: Printed and digital textbooks. Center for
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Javellana, J. C., Jover, G. M. S., & Perez, D. I. S. (2014). BOOKS VS TABLETS:
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