Fear of the Unknown: Digital Transitions

Once upon a time, thinking about educational publishing transitioning to digital offerings was quite intimidating to our business. Where do we start? How do we start? Then, by some possibly divine measure, a former colleague brought business to me from a company already in the throes of making this transition. They needed content for two educational supplemental products--one for the students and one for the instructor. It was an "ah-ha"
moment for me, full of as many clichés as this blog already has! It was even an epiphany! Content, content and more content--but only quality content. Never will the need for quality content go away--the trick for those in the industry who've grown up in the print world is to realize that two things will never change:

1. The need for quality content.
2. The need for an understanding of your markets so you can sell this quality content. 

Now you just need to add learning more about digital delivery. And what did you do when you first entered your markets? You talked to your customers--you visited them, surveyed them, got to know them, asked them what they need, expect and what their students need and expect; you asked about business models and you shared it with the sales representatives. And you make sure that everyone in management knew that you took the time to get this in-depth information for your markets. After that, digital transitions will be based on information, facts and projected numbers you will feel more confident about.

Finally, just like when you first started your career, spend time with those that know digital--we all spent time with production professionals; now we spend it with digital professionals.

Don't fear the unknown; take steps to make it known, because at the end of the day it's still quality content and market knowledge that leads to sales, no matter how slick the delivery. 

Susan

Classrooms Come Alive with Interactive Textbook Platforms

The K-12 educational environment is changing at a rapid pace, for the better.

Thanks to the constant upgrades and innovations in the tech industry, classrooms are feeling the positive effects and are able to elevate the learning environment for students to a whole new level.

Computers are in most classrooms these days and the amount of students with access to tablets, computers and smartphones has never been higher, and is growing each year. With these technological upgrades, students are afforded the opportunity to learn online some of the time in a blended class and have unprecedented access to information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. "Amazing things are happening in education right now, " says Mike Sullivan Teacher and Co-Founder of Noyo, an interactive language software company. "Once a fire is ignited and a student has a burning desire to learn more in a subject, they now have constant access with no one to hold them back."

According to Ariel Diaz, Founder, and CEO of BOUNDLESS, "textbooks are the curriculum of the past and we're {Boundless} working to build the curriculum of the future." Interactive textbooks that can be custom-designed by educational publishing gurus such as iD8-Triple SSS Media Development, LLC. Boundless offers a unique opportunity for all those engaged in the educational environment: students, teachers, parents and publishers alike. "Technology will only improve over time, but the old textbook in hard copy form can only age. New platforms will only get better,” says Sullivan, who cannot imagine ever paying $100 for a textbook again and which will probably be outdated by the time it hits the classroom.

These new interactive textbook platforms will not only offer unlimited access to learning for students of all ages at a fraction of the price, but they also make it easier for teachers to focus learning goals on the needs of each specific student. Parents win too because the classroom can come home with their child and offer extra tutorials and assistance in problem areas that students may not get during the class day.

Educational media companies like iD8-Triple SSS Media Development benefit as well because these interactive textbook platforms allow for top-notch customer service. Books are no longer created with the hope that they will be purchased; they are created through a very streamlined process and delivered through specific projects at the request of a client, minimizing duplication of products and reducing costs.

The only drawback to these new interactive textbook platforms is that “it is hard to support everything out there,” and keep pace with the constant changes and advancements.

Guest Blogger: Daphne Butas
Daphne is a seasoned writer and former teacher who specializes in developing educational content for use in books, manuals, testing materials and online resources. She lives with her husband and 3 children in Falls Church, VA and thinks that motherhood has been the greatest and hardest educational experience of her life.