In an effort to decrease the high costs that are associated with postsecondary education, a growing number of universities are creating digital textbook initiatives. For example, Virginia State University's (VSU's) Reginald F. Lewis School of Business entered a textbook licensing agreement with Flat World Knowledge - a publisher of college textbooks - in order to provide a business curriculum to students in a digital format that is cost-effective and environmentally sustainable, the school announced in a press release.
The agreement also plays a key role in the business school's "revolution of excellence" goal to implement technologies that remove textbook costs and other obstacles to higher education. Many leading textbooks exceed $200, and students can spend $1,000 or more per year on textbooks. The cost of textbooks is also a major reason that many students drop out of college, according to a report from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
"We are in the business of education and must seek innovative ways to ensure the success of our students, especially during these times of severe budget cuts and economic uncertainty," said Keith T. Miller, VSU President.
Each site license will cost VSU $20 per student per course for digital access to all learning content for the core business curriculum.
The agreement also plays a key role in the business school's "revolution of excellence" goal to implement technologies that remove textbook costs and other obstacles to higher education. Many leading textbooks exceed $200, and students can spend $1,000 or more per year on textbooks. The cost of textbooks is also a major reason that many students drop out of college, according to a report from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
"We are in the business of education and must seek innovative ways to ensure the success of our students, especially during these times of severe budget cuts and economic uncertainty," said Keith T. Miller, VSU President.
Each site license will cost VSU $20 per student per course for digital access to all learning content for the core business curriculum.
