Report – Internet2 eTextbook Spring 2012 Pilot

Internet2 eTextbook Spring 2012 Pilot, Final Project Report. August 1, 2012

  • “In October 2011, the Provosts at the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) institutions expressed interest in initiating a quick‐turn‐around multi‐institutional eTextbook pilot. The next month, Indiana University approached the Internet2 organization to put together an eText pilot for the spring 2012 semester, based on IU’s eTexts Initiative. In January 2012 IU, along with Internet2, McGraw‐Hill, and Courseload launched the Spring 2012 eTexts Pilot. The University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota, Cornell University, and the University of Virginia joined the pilot and evaluation…” Selected research results:
    • The lower cost of an eTextbook was considered the most important factor for students considering future purchase of an eText.
    • The portability of eTexts also ranked very high as a factor leading to future purchase.
    • Other important factors in future eText purchases included that it should be accessible without an internet connection and available throughout a student’s academic career, not just for a semester.
    • Difficult readability of the text (e.g., difficult zoom feature) was mentioned numerous times by students as well as lack of native functionality on tablets such as the iPad.
    • Faculty, for the most part, did not report using the enhanced eText features (sharing notes, tracking students, question/answer, additional links, etc.) and indicated the need for additional training.
    • Because faculty did not use the enhanced features students saw little benefit from the eText platform’s capability of promoting collaboration with other students or with the professor.”
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