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Textbook Revolution? Free and Paperless

Pilot project offers hundreds of undergraduates content at no charge

By Victoria Floethe, Newser User

Posted Jul 17, 2008 4:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – The hefty cost of university textbooks now averages $900 per student each year, and financial aid can't be counted on to cover the expense. But starting in September, one publisher will be offering its textbooks online—for free, Time reports. "Nobody's satisfied with the status quo," said the founder of Flat World, a start-up with plans to shake up the $5.5 billion industry.

Instead of a relying on advertising, Flat World hopes to make money by selling extras on its site such as study guides and podcasts. The online texts themselves will feature embedded video and audio clips and will be easy for authors to update. But some critics wonder how Flat World will attract professors as authors. "I just don't see how they will be able to offer equal compensation," said one former school president. "Their utopian approach is based on the hope that real economics don't apply."

Flatworld aims to make these textbooks a thing of the past. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

A start-up company will offer free textbooks this fall that could change the industry. ((c) Del Far)

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Textbook Revolution? Free and Paperless

Pilot project offers hundreds of undergraduates content at no charge

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Calif. Dream Act Takes Another Step

College aid for illegals passes panel, heads to legislature

In College, More Virgins, —and More Casual Sex

Studies find less commitment all the way around

Freshmen More Stressed Than Ever

First-year college students report low emotional health

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'The Woman I Was Born to Be' will be out in the fall

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Edwart's no vamp, he just has nosebleeds, but don't tell Belle

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Textbook Revolution? Free and Paperless

Pilot project offers hundreds of undergraduates content at no charge

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

publishing • college • book • financial aid • online learning • college student

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Calif. Dream Act Takes Another Step

College aid for illegals passes panel, heads to legislature

In College, More Virgins, —and More Casual Sex

Studies find less commitment all the way around

Freshmen More Stressed Than Ever

First-year college students report low emotional health

Susan Boyle Lands Deal for Autobiography

'The Woman I Was Born to Be' will be out in the fall

Lampoon Lampoons Twilight With Nightlight

Edwart's no vamp, he just has nosebleeds, but don't tell Belle

About Us

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Newser By Users

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More News

What is Newser?