Ideas such as collaborative development, information sharing, and social computing have powered Web 2.0 innovations for several years. Among these recent advances are new ways to create and distribute human knowledge. This has begun to dramatically change how books are written, published, and distributed. Although mainstream textbook publishers have resisted change, new paradigms are emerging. One exciting example is BookBoon (BookBoon.com), run by the Danish company Ventus Publishing ApS.
BookBoon provides a new method for educational-material delivery compatible with the future of ubiquitous information, accessible by everyone. Its revenue stream removes the burden from students and finances textbook distribution with advertising space sold to carefully selected organizations. Rather than digitize existing printed textbooks, BookBoon works with authors to develop new material according to guidelines that more closely resemble how modern students use books. Continue reading “Textbooks in a Web 2.0 world”
