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Are Textbooks Dead? Making Sense of the Digital Transition

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Abstract

College administrators and faculty are struggling to make smart decisions in the midst of a barrage of information. Some of what they’re hearing and reading is confusing, some of it is exaggerated and some of it is just wrong. Changes in digital course materials are moving forward swiftly, but not at warp speed. The challenge is to navigate digital opportunities without losing sight of learning outcomes, costs and wear and tear on students, teachers and institutions. A nimble but careful move forward requires dependable partnerships, fresh thinking and a genuine understanding of the risks and rewards. To help make sense of the digital transition, this is an assessment of how course materials will evolve and Follett Higher Education Group’s predictions for the near- and long-term future of digital learning.

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Correspondence to Christine McFadden.

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McFadden, C. Are Textbooks Dead? Making Sense of the Digital Transition. Pub Res Q 28, 93–99 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12109-012-9266-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12109-012-9266-3

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