Using an alternative textbook?

College Life
1

<p>Is it appropriate to use an alternative text to that of the one recommended by the professor? Or, is it preferential to remain consistent/cooperative with that of the instructor’s selection? Can anyone elaborate on the advantages/disadvantages of either of two choices?</p>

2

<p>I think it depends on the type of class and what the book will be used for. Some classes, like my calc class, there are assignments taken from the book so you needed to have the same book as the professor. I haven’t taken a college science class so I can’t comment on that but maybe if you’re just using it to learn material you could have a different one? I personally would get the recommended book though.</p>

3

<p>If HW assignments aren’t assigned from the book, it’s typically acceptable to get an older edition, and most professors I have had encouraged it unofficially to reduce the out-of-pocket cost for the student. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t buy a totally alternative edition for a couple of reasons. In science classes (in chemistry and physics especially), questions/problems are often worded a certain way, and values and variables are often defined one way versus another in another book, and the differences between lecture and text often trip students up. In humanities classes, my professors have always assumed I am reading along/following along with the text they have assigned, and that text wll often, at a minimum, frame the discussion, and even in a survey history class, for example, the text will determine the order/categorization of topics.</p>

4

<p>Having an alternative textbook as a supplement to (not replacement of) the assigned one for the course may sometimes be helpful if a specific concept is hard to understand in the assigned textbook. In this case, you can try reading the alternative textbook for the explanation.</p>

<p>Here are some free on-line textbooks that may be suitable as supplemental alternative textbooks: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1289172-big-savings-u-s-students-open-source-book-program.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1289172-big-savings-u-s-students-open-source-book-program.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>But it is best to normally look in the assigned textbook first for the readings that match the class.</p>

5

<p>No using the assigned textbook is a recipe for disaster. Different editions might have different information. You want to be on the same page as the teacher (literally).</p>