When asked why they are without a book they say they didn't want to waste their money on something they may not need. They thought they would come to their first class, feel their teacher out, and make a decision then on whether or not they think it will be useful to them. When did this become the norm?
I can't say I blame those kids!! The text books cost hundreds of dollars, and sometimes the prof does not even use it.
Textbooks contain so much more content
than one teacher can cover on
their her own.
Yes, this essay lacks inspiration, but it is not your fault! You have been assigned to write an essay about something that is rather mindless, I think. Then again, maybe you can find a unique approach...
You could write this as an essay about the dynamic process that involves three parts: teacher, student, text book. You could write a beautiful essay about this meaningful process that is as old as academia itself. Do not stick to the simple and obvious stuff. Allow yourself to write an essay about the very process of education, and show that an education without text books is incomplete.
Try starting with an outline of the essay with the major points you want to make. :-)