While it has long been prophesied that the print textbook would disappear, it has actually taken quite a bit longer than people anticipated.

In the final session of TAA’s Summer Webinar Series, “Digital is Coming for Your Textbooks” at 2pm ET on July 30th, Christopher Kenneally, Director of Business Development, Copyright Clearance Center and Independent Publishing Industry Consultant, Michael Cairns, will review the latest developments in the creation, sourcing, and delivery of digital textbooks and will examine the looming fight for control of usage data.

Administrators, instructors, and students increasingly demand all-inclusive and unlimited access to online educational materials (think, Netflix for textbooks). In July 2019, Pearson announced it would end the longstanding practice among textbook publishers of revising all active titles every three years according to a printing schedule. Instead, the British-based education publisher will employ a digital-first discipline for its publishing program.

As textbooks give way to courseware, textbook authors will be looking for an education in 21st century business models.

Kenneally hosts CCC’s podcast series Beyond the Book, which debuted in 2006 and has posted over 1.5 million downloads. As CCC’s Director, Relationship Marketing, he is responsible for organizing and hosting programs that address the business needs of all stakeholders in publishing and research. His reporting has appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, The Independent (London), WBUR-FM, NPR, and WGBH-TV.

Cairns is a publishing and media executive with over 25 years’ experience in business strategy, operations, and technology implementation. As a business executive, Michael has successfully managed several troubled and under-performing businesses, creating new business opportunities, developing new funding sources, and enhancing shareholder value for investors. His years spent as an operating executive have largely been with brand-name publishing companies such as Macmillan, Inc., Berlitz International, Wolters Kluwer Health, Reed Elsevier, Ingenta Technology, and R.R. Bowker.

Following their presentation, TAA Vice President/President-Elect, Kevin Patton, will facilitate a ‘Topic Extension’ discussion to bring out further questions and encourage attendees to share their own experiences. Add your own experience and opinions to help us all envision how educational resource development will evolve, and how best to use digital tools and resources to enhance pedagogy.

Register now for next week’s session to learn more about textbooks in a digital world.