Digital Textbooks: CSU Affordability Strategy for Student Success California State University Board of Trustees Meeting March 20, 2012 Gerry Hanley, Senior Director of Academic Technology Services
About Digital Textbooks in the CSU Digital textbooks cost 45%-55% less than new print textbook prices 33% of CSU students prefer digital textbooks 1% of all titles sold in CSU bookstores are digital textbooks 2 There is an unmet demand in the marketplace
3 CSU Provides System Access to No- and Low-Cost Textbook Alternatives Open Textbooks: Over 2,000 FREE online textbooks are available through the AL$ website CSU Library eBooks: CSU systemwide electronic library collections provide students FREE access to eBooks Faculty-Authored Materials: Published and distributed in a variety of ways Lower Cost Publisher eTextbooks: Digital rentals in the CSU
4 Digital Rentals: Design Principles Choice Price Convenience Accessibility Lessons learned from CSU research …..Are Key Success Factors
5 Digital Rentals: Business Proposition Vendors provide more content at a good price CSU will actively support increases in adoptions and acquisitions Digital Textbook Publishers and Distributors Additional lower-cost materials Different business models Target: Significant increases in volume will provide opportunities for:
6 Digital Rentals: Here’s the Deal Price: 60% off new print textbook prices Publishers choose the titles they will offer Marketing: CSU and vendors will collaborate on raising awareness, comfort, and competencies in using digital textbooks Accessibility: Vendors will provide the CSU a roadmap for improving the accessibility of their eReaders Agreement on 3 key areas:
7 Digital Rentals: Who’s Playing? CourseSmart: Independent bookstores Café Scribe: Follett bookstores NookStudy: Barnes & Noble bookstores Cengage Learning: 27% of higher ed market Vendors Serve all CSU Campuses eReader usability and accessibility Which titles at 60% discount? Long-term growth in offerings Resolving Issues
8 Digital Rentals: What’s the Schedule? Faculty awareness to support adoption April 14 CSU Conference on Teaching Webinars by vendors + faculty HEOA memo on textbook affordability Spring 2012: Faculty-focused activities Student awareness of choice CSSA program CSU Public Affairs program Fall 2012: Student-focused activities
9 If 1/3 of CSU students choose 1 digital rental per semester instead of a new $100 print textbook….. CSU students will save about $17 Million in Digital Rentals: Student Savings
10 Affordable Learning Solutions Enabling Ecosystems with policies, leadership, business models Developing Demand with communications, training, professional development Creating Capabilities with convenient & affordable access to content (CSU Digital Marketplace) Leveraging Content Providers Publishers--Libraries-- Academic Authors-- Open Education Resources (CSU-MERLOT)
11 Making It Easier To Find Alternative Content Tools Technologies Policies Marketing & deployment strategies
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