While some students may be using notebooks or netbooks to read textbooks these days, some experts predict that within the next 10 years, most U.S. college students -- and many high-school and elementary-school students as well -- will probably be reading course materials on an electronic device instead of in a paper book. And that will have a broad impact on students and teachers, not to mention the $9.9 billion textbook-publishing business.

James Cameron's three-dimensional (3-D) film Avatar -- now the highest-grossing film of all time -- is helping to set the stage for what could be the next wave in home entertainment: 3-D televisions and other electronics that aim to bring an immersive experience to mainstream living rooms. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, Sony and other companies unveiled plans to launch 3-D compatible televisions and other products, and 3-D content is already under development at networks such as ESPN. Still, Wharton faculty and other experts say it's unclear whether consumers, who have spent recent years upgrading to high-definition television, will reach for their 3-D goggles just yet.