eTextbooks and Learning Enablement
Learn the ins and outs of digital learning, e-textbooks, and Learning Enablement.
Online learning is becoming more prominent in higher education. For on-campus and remote learners alike, digital access to learning content is steadily increasing.
According to a 2020 survey conducted by educationdata.org, 79% of students used laptops to access their courses, 15% utilized a desktop computer, and 5% utilized smartphones or tablets.
However, digital access is not always easy or realistic for every learner. According to the same survey, 10% of students indicated that they had to share their digital device with other users, and 3% stated the device they used was provided to them by their institution.
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The Cost of Content is a Learning Barrier
While online learning is shaping up to be a permanent feature of higher education, financial costs and accessibility remain challenging for students.
According to educationdata.org, online program graduates report that paying for college while minimizing student debt is a top concern.
The cost of content in addition to tuition impacts financially disadvantaged students the most — approximately 65% of students will skip buying course content and textbooks because they cannot afford the additional cost.
While online learning is shaping up to be a permanent feature of higher education, financial costs and accessibility remain challenging for students.
What Is Universal
Learning?
Universal Learning is a content procurement and provisioning model where content is packaged with enrollment in a class, and there is a set per student fee per course.
With Universal Learning, course materials like e-textbooks are digitally distributed through learning management systems (LMS). Students enrolling in a course automatically gain access to the digital materials at no extra cost or a reduced cost on day one of class. For students, Universal Learning delivers a significant reduction in course material expenses: cost savings can range from 30 to 50 percent.
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Why Is Universal
Learning Important?
According to Educationdata.org, only 18% of institutions took steps to provide information on OER to faculty, and 11% signed up for inclusive access agreements. Universal Learning provides tangible benefits for students by making course materials like OER and e-textbooks more affordable, available on day one, easier to access, and more accommodating for different learners.
Together, these innovations have the potential to help institutions move the needle on student success.
Did You Know?
The price of books and supplies at private, non-profit institutions average around $1,220 for students.
What Does This Mean for You?
For University Libraries
Universal Learning offers libraries the potential for a new role as they coordinate course material requests across the institution. In this new model, libraries can serve as the department that delivers essential materials directly to students without charging for content.
“BibliU is about enhancing and making social and economic mobility possible," says Dr. Daniel J. Phelan, President of Jackson College. “This is accomplished through cost reduction and by making available necessary educational resource systems that are so important for our students to have on the first day of class and by recognizing that finances and distance are a challenge.”
For Faculty
Universal Learning provides access to a wide range of content — enabling academic freedom for faculty.
Rather than traditional digital solutions, which limit faculty to choosing content from one or a small selection of publishers, Universal Learning solutions offer a wide range of content from thousands of publishers, including Open Education Resources (OER), via a single platform.
For Universities and Colleges
The ease with which students can access materials makes the arrangement cost-effective and in line with university and college missions to maximize success for all students. Done well, Learning Enablement platforms like BibliU, which enable Universal Learning, can streamline and automate the workflows associated with identifying, selecting, procuring, and distributing content — achieving significant cost avoidance savings for institutions, which can reach $500,000 per year.
The Foundations of Learning Enablement
Efficiency
Learning Enablement applies automation to reduce the manual work traditionally associated with the curation, procurement, management, and distribution of content.
With Learning Enablement, students have access to the content they need to succeed on the first day of class.
Effectiveness
Learning Enablement leverages analytics to give schools a deep understanding of how students study, how learning resources and course materials are being used, and which students need support.
With Learning Enablement, student learning is facilitated by technology designed for interactivity, collaboration, and accessibility.
Equity
Learning Enablement ensures that education is inclusive and equitable by providing equitable access to content for students from all backgrounds and removing the costs and constraints of printed materials.
With Learning Enablement, student access to learning is not limited by their financial means or learning disabilities.
What is a Learning Enablement Platform?
A Learning Enablement Platform leverages digital content management, automation, and analytics to enable more efficient, effective, and equitable learning, resulting in more engaged students and improved student outcomes.
Learning enablement platforms, like BibliU, can help you make digital resources available to all students at a fraction of the cost.
Guaranteeing First-Day Digital Content Access for All Students
BibliU is a Learning Enablement platform that leverages digital content management, automation, and analytics to enable more efficient and effective learning. We work with thousands of publishers to provide millions of digital resources to faculty and students.
BibliU can help mitigate the costs of resources for students and institutions alike, resulting in better student outcomes.
We provide a universal content experience with a deep LMS integration for a one-solution experience for OER, publishers, and print. BibliU works with over 2,000 publishers to offer millions of resources to faculty and students so that everyone has the flexibility and academic freedom they need.
BibliU provides affordable access to content on any device, meaning that students can access content wherever they are — online or offline.
The Challenges of Remote Learning
Learn how North Shore Community College uses BibliU to provide day-one digital content access to their students.
How the Pandemic Redefined Accessibility
Read how digital content is helping to improve accessibility for students and equity in higher education.
Implementing BibliU’s Learning Enablement Platform
Learn how simple it is to integrate BibliU’s learning enablement platform.
