The future is here, so it seems. With the emergence of eTextbooks, the education industry is set to undergo a major landscape transformation. Modern digital books are likely to be more popular not just because of the sophistication but also because of the easier accessibility, accuracy, and greater reliability.
Now that digital books are already available, many educators and students are already embracing those. Electronic readings are not yet overtaking traditional textbooks but with the rate on how students and universities are supporting the adaption of the technology, it will not surprise anyone if electronic textbooks will be the format of reference materials in the coming years. What should be expected from ebooks and their publishers in the future?
Publishers’ more important roles:
It is unlikely for textbook publishers to lose steam in the future, when eTextbooks become more widely used. Publishing houses are set to play greater roles in the emergence of ebooks. As to be expected, commodity content can be everywhere and can be available for free. Thus, highly edited and vetted content will be more preferred. Only seasoned publishers can provide that with their experienced and expert staff.
Textbook publishers have their own proofreaders, copy editors, editors, and designers, which all take their respective responsibilities in publishing books. Logically, publishers’ roles in the modern digital world will be much bigger because newer technology provides greater learning and user experience.
There is an expected demand for content that is not just accurate but also of highest quality. Publishing houses are expected to continue aggregating and contextualizing information for the sake of educators and students. Those with the utmost resources and expertise will certainly set the new rules for eBook publishing in the future.
More interactive digital books:
eTextbooks will facilitate interaction between publishers and readers in many new ways. For instance, students who are stuck on a mathematical formula will not have to worry about not having anyone around to explain the problem and solution well. In the future, publishers are expected to make relevant tutorials readily downloadable and accessible for self-learners.
Many new learning tools are set to be developed and introduced to make eTextbooks more effective. Those will be designed to facilitate learning progress. It helps that publishers see this as an opportunity to take greater market share for modern textbooks. Educators and students can surely expect so much about their future reference materials.
