Textbooks+&+Software+on+CD

=**Textbook and software on CD / server**= Anne Jones, Windle McKenzie

There are online books now. However, you must purchase an access code along with the textbooks to use them. Some books come with CD-Rom components that students may use. These CD’s are included in the cost of books. Publishing companies have not advanced to replacing textbooks by CD-Rom or online books. There is a possibility that a program will be developed in the future that would allow use to purchase electronic books. If a program is developed, systems or schools would have to purchase licenses to cover the use by faculty and students. There is no projection that costs will go down. Textbook cost might decrease in the future, but the added cost of licenses for needed software or online access would bring the cost back up. The sales rep expressed his belief that textbooks are here to stay. Money is a huge factor when trying to get textbooks replaced with CD-ROM on online versions. Most publishing companies allow schools to complete forms to allow disabled students to access books and materials on line. Social Studies textbooks are very controversial and probably have the most access to online books and activities.

Phi Delta Kappan magazine in 2005 outlined some structural and commercial barriers to textbook reform.

Commercial imperatives: School publishing sales add up to 1/7 of US publishing revenue Flawed production system—Pearson, McGraw Hill, Reed Elsevier, and Houghton Mifflin have absorbed dozens of independent textbook companies. Mergers and acquisitions have placed name brand inside large companies and cause some companies to become extent [Macmillan, Merrill and Glencoe (im[prints of McGraw-Hill);Prentice-Hall, Silver Burdett, Ginn, Addison Wesley, Longman, and Scott Foresman (imprints of Pearson); Holt, Rinehart and Winston (imprint of Harcourt); and D,.C. Heath and McDougal Litell (imprints of Houghton Mifflin).

Publishers produce a popular program or volume which generate revenue for years Entry barriers to educational publishing are formidable. Post performance bonds—provide free samples-maintain textbook depositories-field teacher consultants-study guides—workbooks, teacher editions-“full service”

Aggressive sales forces have built tight relationships with big school systems