A new survey of 475 educators indicates that schools and districts see their use of classroom materials transitioning substantially from paper books to digital books over the next two years, according to LightSail Education.
An overwhelming majority of schools and administrators indicate a desire to build digital libraries rather than experiment with book rental and subscription models, but the market is still in its early stages.
The report, “State of the Digital Book Market," is the first to analyze K-12 decision makers’ views on the transition from paper books to digital books and literacy platforms.
Next page: Key findings of the e-book study
Key findings of the report include:
• K-12 decision-makers predict massive growth in the school-based e-book market.
• The Library purchase model for e-books is favored by most education leaders, where a preference is established.
• Educators show a clear preference for reading in digital texts moving forward, where a preference exists.
• School and district leaders are actively seeking technology tools that support literacy instruction.
Remarkable e-book market growth expected in next 2 years:
Ninety-four percent of respondents expect that e-books will increase as a share of books read in their school/district over the next two years.
Fifty-eight percent report that e-books currently represent less than 10 percent of all books in their school/district.
Fifty-two percent expect that in two years, e-books will account for more than 40 percent of all books in their school/district.
Preference for library purchase model for e-books, with much of the market unclear on best option:
Forty percent want to purchase e-books in the Library model, in which the school owns the texts, and students can check books in and out of a “digital library” on their devices.
Sixteen percent want a subscription service similar to “Netflix” where, for a monthly fee, students can access a broad library.
Four percent are interested in renting books through model that offers a single, time-limited checkout per rental.
Forty percent either were not sure which book model they wanted or did not have enough information to express a preference.
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