DeKALB | Every semester, professors are faced with a decision on whether to replace the current textbook required for the course with a newer edition.

Professors say they choose textbooks that are related to the subject they are teaching. However, what a professor teaches often decides how often the professor should renew their textbook edition.

“The topic and the content of a human anatomy textbook don’t change much so you wouldn’t expect to see a lot of differences in a newer edition,” said biology associate professor Chris Hubbard, “On the other hand, molecular biology might change substantially because it’s a field that is changing on a daily basis.”

Often, when professors go to professional meetings, textbook company representatives provide examples of textbooks the company offers. If professors are consistently interested in a particular textbook company, the University Bookstore will tell them when the company issues a new edition.

Textbook companies will also mail professors manuscripts of new editions. Professors review new editions by looking at how the topic is presented, what graphics are used and whether students like it.

“Textbook companies try to entice you into buying their version of a textbook, but unless I have a real good reason to change the textbook, I don’t,” Hubbard said. “If the students really hate it or if I really hate it then I’ll change it.” Once a new edition is released by a textbook company, the previous edition is no longer sold.

History professor J.D. Bowers does not require his students to purchase a textbook for his History 261 course. While students must purchase six novels, Bowers has his students use a free online textbook, “Digital History,” published by researchers from the University of Houston.

“You can’t use old editions forever and online editions are an appropriate alternative and can be updated whenever publishers want,” Bowers said.

Michelle DeSalvo, a freshman undecided major, is enrolled in Bowers’ History 261 course and enjoys using the online textbook.

“There are many advantages to using the online textbook,” DeSalvo said. “Instead of having to carry the book around, I can print off an entire chapter and bring it to class. I can also access the textbook on any computer.”

She also said she appreciates Bowers’ efforts to consider textbook costs.

“I don’t want to get into this $80 textbook thing, but if I’m going to talk about how the past gets interpreted, I need a textbook with more recent events,” Bowers said. “I can’t talk about race, religion or ethnicity without encountering the events of 9/11. I can’t talk about war in the past without talking about current war.”

Erin Wilson is a Campus Reporter for the Northern Star.