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Phil gee

This document discusses Plymouth University's eBook project which provides eBook versions of core texts for students rather than physical books. The key benefits are that it allows all students to access readings from anywhere, levels the playing field for students, and frees up library resources. The project currently provides eBooks for various subjects with over 50 titles available. Surveys found that students had positive feedback and appreciated the accessibility and portability of eBooks, though some noted a preference for print or found screens harder on their eyes. The goals are to expand the program to provide eBooks for all new undergraduates starting in September 2014. Challenges include working with academics to select appropriate texts and secure multi-year commitments, as well as negotiating

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Plymouth eBook Project Phil Gee
the idea • customer is the school, not its students (core texts).
key benefits • teach knowing ALL students can access reading (anywhere) • level playing field • note sharing (for starters ... nexus for educational tech) • frees up library resources.
works well because • books ‘belong’ to student* • read anywhere, any time • encourages ‘reading for a degree’
current provision subject (no. books) subject (no. books) psychology (23) geography (5) environmental sci (6) biomedical Sciences (7) marine biology (5) biological Sciences (5) earth sciences (4) maths & statistics (12) computing (8) accountancy (3).
suppliers Sage Pearson Taylor & Francis Hodder Wiley Blackwell Cengage Palgrave Macmillan. McGraw Hill
survey 102 first-year Psychology undergraduates at Plymouth University responded in May 2013 any positive comments? any negative comments? Very useful, particularly for Have none. I think this was a students lacking the resources great initiative. to acquire the books in print, which can be very expensive. Also, as university courses become increasingly grounded in digital media, the ebooks scheme was a good way to roll with the times.
survey Eighty-six first-year Psychology undergraduates at Plymouth University responded any positive comments? any negative comments? I think its a fantastic scheme. Instead of having to lug around heavy books every day, I can read all of the books and make my own personal notes and highlight onto both of my laptops and take them everywhere with only the need for a small bag (as I have a netbook laptop). Its very accessible and its even better that apart from whilst downloading the books, the internet is not even needed. Fantastic!
survey Eighty-six first-year Psychology undergraduates at Plymouth University responded any positive comments? any negative comments? Puts everyone at an advantage right from the beginning of the course and not only the people who can afford books. saves waiting in an endless waiting list for a book. easily accessed and portable. its harder to read alot on a computer screen i feel it strains my eyes more than a paper book
survey 102 first-year Psychology undergraduates at Plymouth University responded in May 2013 any positive comments? any negative comments? I find it much easier to read from my computer/phone as Im much more used to reading articles etc. online than I am to reading books. Also, not having to physically carry around the books makes things much easier for me. Making notes and highlighting is also much easier, as is searching for these. Searching for specific terms is also far easier with an eBook.
survey Eighty-six first-year Psychology undergraduates at Plymouth University responded any positive comments? any negative comments? I like the on line tutorials on the e books they help me. Also I prefer to read e books in bed as I can make the print bigger and I dont drop it on my chihuihua dog, like i do with normal books. i found it odd reading books from a computer screen but soon got used to it. I do prefer the printed books but want to get more used to the e books. Also they are really good for the environment.
survey conclusions • students like the scheme • the format (pdf or reflowable) makes a difference • 55% Psych Stage 1 had heard of scheme prior to joining us. Of these, 44% said that eBooks had influenced their decision. • we need to do some training
good for publishers • much more predictable • multi-year deal cost and market advantages • universities less likely to pirate their stuff
good for us • we do our job more effectively • we have happy students
goal: september 2014 • new Plymouth undergraduates get core texts at start of course • 120 programmes • 450 modules • 6700 students.
challenge: working with academics • herding cats would be easier • decision: which available texts suitable? • commit to several years? • email isn’t enough • a new cost.
challenge: working with publishers • like herding partially-trained cats • variation in digital & institutional strategies • variation in pricing policy • RRP RIP?.
challenge: working together • find ways to collect & share data • focus on service not products • clear and realistic pricing
final thoughts • really exciting time in academic publishing • opportunity to put quality (& enhanced?) texts in to back pockets • chance to develop new partnerships & ways of thinking about content.
pgee@plymouth.ac.uk