Robert Butterfield Director, Instructional Resources Service University of Wisconsin-Stout

UNIT NAME HEREInspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.eduInstructional Resources Service Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

Transition to the Future: The E-textbook Shift at UW-Stout


Transition to the Future: The Etextbook Shift at UW-StoutTransition to the Future:

Instructional Resources ServiceInspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

The Etextbook Shift at UW-Stout

Robert ButterfieldDirector,

Instructional Resources ServiceUniversity of Wisconsin-Stout



UW-Stout

• Located in Menomonie, WI• Part of the UW System• Wisconsin’s only four year polytechnic• 9000 students• Laptop campus



Rental Program

• Textbook rental school for over 100 years• Undergraduate students pay about $6.00 per

credit for most of their books• Graduate students pay about $8.00• Very popular with both students and parents



Why move to digital course material?



Why e-textbooks?

Faculty Engagement Sessions



Why e-textbooks?You Said…We Did

Replace aging print textbook rental system





Provide content in support of Stout’s polytechnic mission





Provide content in support of Stout’s polytechnic mission

Enhance course outcomes!



Improved Outcomes (Students)

Improve academic success

Flexible, current and engaging resource available on the first day of class

No fines, damage fees, or long distribution or turn-in lines

Easily deliverable to distance education students

Reduces backpack weight



Improved Outcomes (Faculty)

Eliminates need for long adoption periods

Flexible classroom resource

Access to newer material

Ability to add and edit material



Improved Outcomes (Administration)

Enables rapid adjustment to course demands

Expedites distribution on and off campus

Provides a more flexible business plan

More potential for mitigating cost



Digital Resources Task Force

Associate Chancellor Chief Information Officer Student Senate Representative Director, Learning Technology Services Purchasing Coordinator Dean of Students Director, Stout Online Disability Services Coordinator Director, University Library Bursar Registrar Instructional Resources (Operational Responsibility)

College of Management – 1 x faculty

College of Education – 1 x faculty

College of Arts and Humanities –

2 x faculty

College of STEM – 2 x faculty

Members of Administration Faculty Members



University Textbook Transition (UTexT) Program



Program Goals1. To provide a program that is efficient and cost effective that enhances student learning through the use of emerging technologies

2. To utilize innovations in technology to further our polytechnic designation

3. To support instructor’s ability to customize and modify course materials to meet learning outcomes

4. To provide an adaptable program that can continue to meet course content requirements well into the future, and that will meet the needs and expectations of students exposed to advanced learning technologies in the K-12 environment



University Textbook Transition (UTexT) ProgramPhase I

A. E-textbook pilot, fall 2012

B. 5 courses, 8 sections, approximately 200 students

C. Instructor volunteers partnering with Courseload



University Textbook Transition (UTexT) ProgramPhase II

A. E-textbook pilot, spring 2013

B. Approximately 36 courses, 50+ sections, about 1000 students

C. Instructor volunteers partnering with Courseload




Phase III

A. Fall 2014, 57 courses with over 130 sections

B. Begin expansion of additional pilot offerings

C. Instructor volunteers partnering with Courseload and several other digital resource providers




Phase IV (Implementation) Spring 2014

A. 102 Courses, 200+ sections, 73 instructors, and over 5000 students

A. Partnering with XX publishers and vendors

C.Elimination of textbook mailing program initiated

D. IRS restructure and business plan implementation



University Textbook Transition (UTexT) ProgramPhase IV +

- 40%-60% program implementation by fall 2016• Approximately 15% as of Spring 2014• Minimum of 80% of DE courses by Fall 2015

- Full program implementation as soon as practicable

- Continual evaluation for program effectiveness

- Adoption of procedures and techniques to keep program relevant



Consequences of change



• Publisher Relations• Request and Acquisition of Material• Staffing/Workflows• Business Model• Phasing Out Old Material• Communication



• Interaction With the Learning Management

System • Device Interaction• Support to Acquisition and Sustainability• Technical Support













Change in Learning







Pros• Instructor comments• Less weight in their

backpack• Search and find features• Note taking and

highlighting• More interesting to read

• Zoom• Scrolling • Mobile Use

Needs Improvement



Instructor Comments• Training and support is a must• Students use the online format to “ignore” the textbook• “Students’ questions [through the e-textbook] reflected

deeper comprehension of the material… forcing them to interact with the text facilitated this learning”

• Like the portability, particularly with mobile capabilities• E-text interactivity allowed instructors with online courses

to incorporate more material like in an online course



Things we’ve learned

• Training for instructors AND students• Incorporating using the e-textbook into one of

the first assignments• A laptop may not be the best option to provide a

digital resource• Students do not want integration with the LMS





ObstaclesCost



ObstaclesCost

Culture



ObstaclesCost

Culture

Publishers



ObstaclesCost

Culture

Publishers

Technology



Questions?



ContactFor more information or to provide feedback:

Bob Butterfield, [email protected], 715-232-2617

Meghan Thomason, [email protected]

or email [email protected]

Documents

Robert Butterfield Director, Instructional Resources Service University of Wisconsin-Stout