UAA part of eTextbooks pilot program; students, please take this survey on textbook pricing

UAA has been accepted into a national pilot study of eTextbooks for the Fall 2012 semester. The overall goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of eTexts in higher education and to test new models of textbook delivery. UAA is one of 25 colleges and universities providing eTexts to their students this fall semester as part of the pilot. The pilot is in partnership with University of Alaska, Educause, Internet2 and McGraw Hill.

The pilot uses Courseload eReader software, which integrates into UAA's Blackboard system and works on many mobile devices. The eTexts are interactive and can be annotated by the instructors and students. The eTexts (McGraw Hill texts) are currently available for the fall 2012 semester only and were offered free to students, thanks to support from the University of Alaska Statewide Office of Information Technology. Students also had the option to buy a print copy at $25-$35.

Sixteen sections of UAA and KPC courses have been selected for the pilot, affecting approximately 500 students. UAA will be collecting data for this pilot from the students and instructors regarding the impact on teaching and learning, as well as comparing pricing, effectiveness, engagement and national trends. UAA is also integrated into a larger national cross-institutional study. Email Sarah Frick at scfrick@uaa.alaska.edu if you are interested in the research component of this pilot project.

Learn more at UAA's eText Pilot Website or Internet2's eText Pilot Website.

UAA Students
We want your feedback about textbook pricing and eTexts!
The Faculty Technology Center is interested in the student perspective of eTexts and textbook pricing here at UAA. Take this quick survey on eTexts and textbook pricing to let us know what you think!