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Francisca G

1 reviews | Active since Feb 2026

26 Feb 2026, 16:33

Boston changing to digital Textbooks without consulting the students!

I am a student in my second year. I am busy this moment, trying to study with these new digital textbooks, which was just forced on us, without any consultation with the students. I did complain at my Support centre when I heard about it, only in January, but nothing came of my voice. I am so struggling with the digital version, the Snapplify and Buku apps where the books are on is so un-user-friendly, one cannot copy your notes, you can highlight. But what does highlights mean if you cannot print all your highlights to learn. I wear glasses for the computer, but my eyes are already sore from all the screen time and scrolling. If feels like I do not know where I am in the textbook, which is very frustrating!

I wanted to give the textbooks a change, after my first complains was just ignored, and the Support centre gave all the pro's including "reading function of the books", but the voice sounds like a AI generated computer voice, I cannot listen or understand it. But This is absolutely ridiculous. To pay this extreme Tuition, and we did not even get any drop-in fees, even though we do not get textbooks anymore!

I think it was absolutely in bad faith that Boston made this decision, and at this moment, I am so disappointed that I ever chose Boston. I know a lot of students that is also very Upset about this! We want our Books back in the second semester! Sort out your logistical problems with textbook distribution and give us books again! I am trying for all distinctions and with this extreme workload, to now struggle this mess with a digital textbook, how should I achieve this! You will see it in your results this semester, that this was a poor decision on your part just to improve your bottom line, this is not fair towards us students!

I will not be recommending Boston for any new prospective Student! This was the straw that broke the camels back!

0
Replies (1)
Boston City Campus
Boston City Campus's reply27 Feb 2026, 12:01
Official
 
Hi Francisca, 
 
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us. We understand that change, particularly during your studies, can feel overwhelming. The transition to TEXTBOOKS+ was the result of extensive research into global higher education trends, employer expectations, and the skills that graduates need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. Boston City Campus has a responsibility to ensure that our academic offering remains relevant, competitive, and aligned with the demands of the modern workplace, and this decision was made entirely with student experience and success as the driving motivation. 
 
These platforms offer a wealth of features designed to enhance your study experience far beyond what a physical textbook can offer, including: highlighting and annotations that are saved automatically; smart search to instantly find any term or concept across your entire textbook; offline access so you can study without an internet connection; bookmarking so you always know exactly where you are and can return to important sections instantly; and AI-powered study tools. I understand that adjusting to new platforms takes time, and I we are happy to set up some time with a member of our Head Office team to walk you through every feature, including how to manage your highlights and notes effectively. Once you become fami**** with these tools, I am confident they will significantly enhance the way you study. 
 
Your concern about eye strain is one of the core areas where TEXTBOOKS+ offers a significant advantage over physical textbooks. Unlike a static printed page, our digital platforms allow you to fully customise your reading experience: adjustable font sizes and accessible font types, dark mode and night reading to reduce glare, customisable background colours and contrast levels, and built-in reading break reminders to encourage healthy study habits. The read-aloud functionality also lets you absorb content while giving your eyes a break. Combined with your device’s own brightness and blue light filter settings, you have far greater control over your reading comfort than you would ever have with a printed textbook. Regarding the quality of the read-aloud voice, I appreciate your feedback. While text-to-speech technology continues to improve, this feature is designed as a supplementary study tool for revision and auditory learning, and your feedback helps us work with our platform partners to enhance the experience. 
 
We also want to address your concern about fees directly. Our library fees for 2026 have not been increased as a result of the TEXTBOOKS+ transition, and your tuition fees still cover the cost of your prescribed textbooks. In fact, the value you are receiving has increased substantially. With TEXTBOOKS+, you now receive all your prescribed textbooks digitally with the full suite of study tools described above, plus access to a digital library granting you access to over one million digital textbooks and titles across various disciplines for additional research and study. This transition was not a cost-saving exercise - it was an investment in providing you with a richer, more comprehensive learning experience. 
 
We can hear how committed you are to achieving distinctions, and I commend that dedication. Beyond your exams, TEXTBOOKS+ equips you with the research fluency, digital literacy, and self-directed learning habits that modern employers actively seek in graduates - competencies that will set you apart in a competitive job market. That said, I sincerely understand that that enhancement brings about changes and new systems to grapple with but I am confident that TEXTBOOKS+ represents a genuine and significant upgrade to your learning experience. We are here to support you through both transitions as well as the remainder of your studies, so please do reach out to your Support Centre and Educators directly if you need anything. 

Kind Regards, 
Boston City Campus Team