From: Anthony Watkinson <[log in to unmask]> Date: Sun, 11 May 2014 15:47:10 +0100 Chuck Is this the same sort of thing as Wiley Plus which has been around for some time or is the principle here different? Anthony -----Original Message----- 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