Don't throw out your old textbooks just yet ...

You might be able to flog them to a student !

Some surprises from a recent Book Industry Study Group survey (America's leading book industry association according to their website) suggesting students aren't quite as keen to jump onto the e-book bandwagon just yet.

This report on the research claims that nearly 75% of the student respondents to the survey "said they prefer printed texts, citing a fondness for print's look and feel, as well as its permanence and ability to be resold".

Some of the other findings detailed in the report include that VLEs and considered to have high value by students and surprisingly that clickers (audience response systems) have low value.

Interesting ...

Free eBook: Emerging Technologies in Distance Education.

This new eBook from Athabasca University looks at a whole series of emerging technologies for distance education. Incidentally, it contains a Chapter by Rita Kop on the TRIO Project in DACE.

The blurb for the book call it a " one-stop knowledge resource, Emerging Technologies in Distance Education showcases the international work of research scholars and innovative distance education practitioners, who use emerging interactive technologies for teaching and learning at a distance."

An continues that this "widely anticipated book harnesses the dispersed knowledge of international experts who highlight pedagogical, organizational, cultural, social, and economic factors that influence the adoption and integration of emerging technologies in distance education. Emerging Technologies in Distance Education provides expert advice on how educators can launch effective and engaging distance education initiatives, in response to technological advancements, changing mindsets, and economic and organizational pressures. The volume goes beyond the hype surrounding Web 2.0 technologies and highlights the important issues that researchers and educators need to consider to enhance educational practice."