ebooks aren’t the same as traditional books. There are some things they don’t do as well – and some things they do better. Part of the challenge for the epublishing industry is to find useful ways of exploiting the advantages of the digital format.
Now publisher Macmillan has come up with an interesting idea it calls DynamicBooks. Dynamic Books are basically student textbooks that can be modified online by teachers. The tutors will be able to log in to the DynamicBooks website and edit their chosen textbook, for example moving round chapters to fit their syllabus or add their own annotations. Students will then be able to buy access to the customised textbook either to read online, read on their iPhone or download to their PC. Print on demand will also be available.
Clancy Marshall of DynamicBooks said:
DynamicBooks strives to put control of world-class textbook content into the hands of instructors. Our easy-to-use custom publishing platform allows instructors to create tailored versions of many of today’s most popular textbooks, and then instantly publish them for their students in both digital and print versions.
The system uses the VitalSource Bookshelf platform from Ingram Content Group. Around 20 textbooks are currently listed in the DynamicBooks catalogue with around 100 expected by 1st August when they become available to buy.
No Comments