Dive Brief:
- Digital course materials have disrupted the traditional textbook business, causing an identity crisis for some campus bookstores, but Tony Ellis, vice president of industry advancement for the National Association of College Stores, has advice about the future of course materials and how campus bookstores can adapt.
- For University Business, Ellis writes that surveys show students and faculty prefer print textbooks, but the cost savings and enhanced learning possibilities with digital are sure to create increasing demand in that area.
- Ellis recommends institutions develop a multidimensional approach, understanding there will be uneven gaps in digital adoption — and adding that administrators, campus bookstore leaders, IT staff members, librarians, and faculty should all be part of the decision-making process.
Dive Insight:
As open education resources become more popular in the higher education space, in part because of high textbook costs that squeeze students, colleges and universities have to undergo a transformation. New policies and procedures need to be put in place to guide faculty and departments as they choose classroom resources. Ellis urges decision-makers to keep in mind the potential for third-party solutions to expand accessibility and scalability but limit institutional control of the content, pricing, and service. Also, as students want to be able to buy and read course materials on their phones and tablets, administrators and others should keep their needs in mind on the front-end.