From: Sandy Thatcher <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2014 10:06:26 -0500

Calling this model "coercion" is a misnomer.  Students may have no
choice in the matter, but when did they ever have a choice?  What
makes the textbook industry unique is that the publishers do not sell
to the end users but to intermediaries, i.e., professors, and these
intermediaries have as much freedom as any other buyer to turn down an
offer.  This does not amount to "an offer they can't refuse." So,
blaming the publishers for being creative about the ways they offer
their products seems misdirected.  If anyone is to blame here, it is
the professors who succumb to the temptations the publishers offer
them.  No one is holding a gun to their heads.  This might be coercion
if the professors were receiving kickbacks from the publishers, but
Chuck has offered no proof of such skullduggery.

Sandy Thatcher


> From: "Hamaker, Charles" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Sat, 10 May 2014 11:58:28 +0000
>
> Publishers have something new under the sun. The major textbook
> providers have created websites to "enhance" their educational
> textbook offerings. The only fly in the ointment is that along with
> the publisher's website ,student purchase of website access
> accompanying the text is not optional but mandatory, much like a lab
> fee.
>
> If the student doesn't access the website homework assignments, she
> can't pass the course or in many cases, take the tests.
>
> For most  classes a defined percentage of the final grade is
> determined by  website participation. Sometimes the course is marked
> as "hybrid" at the bookstore or on the course description. Sometimes
> not. Some classes are now noting such content is 50% of the course,
> and may  reduce classroom contact hours because of the website
> experience.
>
> Students are  being told if you don't have  website access (usually
> registration rights that come with an "access card)" then you can't
> pass the course. Publishers can provide deep discounts if the purchase
> of textbook and/or website access are "mandatory" i.e. guaranteed.
>
> The University of Minnesota bookstore instituted a program that
> simply billed  a student if they signed up for a course using McGraw
> Hill content that has such enhanced content. No choice.
>
> For my take on this you might want to see my editorial in Online
> Searcher magazine
> http://www.infotoday.com/OnlineSearcher/Articles/Searchers-Voice/Coercion-96759.shtml
>
> Librarians with expertise in negotiating with publishers for econtent
> and licenses (there is normally for both faculty and students, a EULA
> required to sign on) need to be in the discussions on every college
> campus surrounding such arrangements.
>
> Content created by both faculty and students on the website usually
> becomes the publisher's property to do with as they see fit.
>
> Chuck