The University of Maine’s Academic Materials Program (AMP) intends to offer flexible pricing options and give students the option to select either digital or print formats for specific materials. Currently, students are set up to automatically purchase AMP course materials at a fixed rate of $239.99 per semester, which started in the Fall 2024 semester.
According to UMaine News, “As a partner in higher ed, the University Bookstore has worked with faculty and publishers to develop this program, providing an equitable and affordable avenue for students to gain access to all their required course material (digital and physical) on the first day of class. Alternative options are available for students who require accommodations. Opt-outs must happen by add/drop which is the first week of the semester.”
While this program is easily accessible and beneficial, it may not be cost-effective for every student. Charging students $239.99 per semester for required class materials is unfair, especially for those who only need these accommodations for one or two classes. While this cost may be justified for students who require materials for multiple classes, it is unreasonable for those with only one or two classes to be required to make this purchase.
The option between digital and print formats is also essential, especially for students who prefer or perform better with printed materials rather than digital ones. This also gives students the option to select their preferred format for certain classes instead of being automatically assigned courses as print or digital by the program, requiring them to opt out of the program entirely if those choices don’t align with their preference.
According to a 2023 article from The Guardian, “Reading print texts improves comprehension more than reading digital materials does, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Valencia analyzed more than two dozen studies on reading comprehension published between 2000 and 2022, which assessed nearly 470,000 participants. Their findings suggest that print reading over a long period of time could boost comprehension skills by six to eight times more than digital reading does.”
Numerous researchers have found that reading the old-fashioned way can be more effective in absorbing and remembering information. Students, such as myself, who prefer this approach over digital for learning and improving reading retention, should have the flexibility to select their preferred method for each class. The inability to effectively annotate digital course material is another common problem that comes with this form that can hinder a student’s learning.
Yes, the times are changing, and technology and digital formats are becoming increasingly important, especially in higher education and research. While higher education institutions like UMaine are simply fulfilling their role by adjusting to this technological shift, students should still have the option to select either format or a blend of both for their courses at a flexible cost.
