How many years does it take until the basic knowledge you gain from a book changes so much that a new book to learn from becomes necessary?
When I compared the seventh edition textbook for this semester’s Journalism 1 class to a copy of the fifth edition textbook required two years ago, I discovered that these textbooks are almost identical. They had one major difference, one can be purchased from the Fresno City College bookstore for $67, and the other can be purchased online for $3.
The other minor changes between editions were the pop culture references. Instead of using “Friends” as the example, it became “Gossip Girl.” None of these changes in any way affected the overall content in the book. Even the paragraphs they were used in were exactly the same, they simply changed the name of the TV show.
It’s true that the timelines were more current, but is it at all possible for there to be another solution? Possibly a base textbook that doesn’t change, and a less expensive supplement with the more recent information and statistics that make up a very small part of the overall content?
“The law is ever-changing,” said Jamie Ledezma, a lawyer who teaches political science here at FCC. She says in her field a current textbook is always necessary. But what about the other subjects?
“Students need to be smart consumers,” said Andrea Johnson, Ph.D.
Johnson, who teaches history, suggested that instead of buying new textbooks to be ready for the first day of class, email and/or ask your instructor if they’ll accept the previous edition.
One of the textbooks Johnson’s class uses is on its third edition. The third edition can be purchased new for $81. The second edition, which she will also accept, can be purchased online for $0.01.
“I feel for my students who are struggling to afford textbooks,” said David Hamp, who teaches communication, “I accept earlier versions of the text. I have found little changes in the ‘revised editions.’”
If you are the “starving college student” looking to save wherever possible, talk to your instructors before spending all of your financial aid or personal income on new edition textbooks. You’ll find that a lot of them understand your position more than you think. All instructors were students once.
