Why Textbook Publishers Can Save the Education Crisis

Interactive textbooks could be more helpful than you think.

We know this is going to get a little dark for a moment, but bear with us:

School enrollment is down, and rates of chronic absenteeism are up.?

Math skills are declining, student reading scores are at their lowest point in 30 years–and the gap between our highest- and lowest-performing students is widening.?

Educators across the country report an increase in student isolation, behavior problems, social emotional deficits, and violence.

In the face of unsustainable demands and staffing shortages, educators are burning out. Schools can’t find enough substitutes or bus drivers, up to 63% of educators are considering leaving the profession in the next three years, and fewer youth are considering teaching as a viable career.

Partisan political battles further complicate the educational landscape, keeping teachers and content producers in the crosshairs.

Meanwhile, reductions in educational funding further strain the system and jeopardize educational quality.

As one teacher-turned-tech-founder notes: “Much of [our system] is held together with duct tape and glue.”?

Here’s the light:

The education system must evolve to meet the needs of a changing world, exhausted educators, and struggling students.

And the publishing world is poised to do just that. That is, if they lean into the future a little bit.

Publishers in the Spotlight

At this particular moment in history, textbook publishers are uniquely positioned to lead the way in making education more accessible, engaging, effective, and sustainable for students and educators alike.

Right when educational materials must adapt to address the educational crisis, we find ourselves serendipitously and suddenly at the dawn of the AI era.?

Publishers find themselves with a unique opportunity to lead. And some prominent names in the industry have already embraced the challenge, adopting digital-first strategies and embracing partnerships with educators and new technologies along the way.

Embracing Interactive Textbooks

In an era dominated by digital natives, learning is shifting to digital platforms: digital audiobook sales are rising, most people prefer to learn online, most choose to learn by video, and most perform best when content is interactive (whitepaper forthcoming).

Accordingly, digital curricula curated by teachers and states are gaining popularity, and schools are increasingly seeking innovative digital materials.?

Publishers can maintain relevance by shifting to digital publishing, and embracing interactive and responsive content driven by artificial intelligence.

Championing Personalized, Relevant, and Engaging Content

Teachers and schools are generally “moving away from one book per content area per grade per student.” Today’s educators want more flexibility, and value the ability to slice, dice, and customize learning materials to meet the needs of their individual classes and students.?

Digital publishing offers textbooks and educators alike the ability to incorporate the kind of “snackable,” highly personally-relevant, diverse, and interactive media and assessment features that kids crave.?

These materials are also easier to update than traditional textbooks, offering teachers and students invaluable access to currency of curricula, information, and best practices.

Making Quality Education More Accessible

We’re particularly excited about the scalability and ‘infinite possibility’ of making courses and learning materials available online.

By going digital, publishers can play a significant role in championing accessibility, making educational materials more available to students, regardless of their background or abilities.?

Digital content allows not only for more information and access, it also creates more inclusive and flexible learning opportunities, providing students the ability to learn at their own pace and on their own time.

Interactive Textbooks and Reducing Content Costs

Shifting to digital-first publishing and learning models also offers financial benefits.

Digital materials are easier to update over time, reducing the costs associated with frequent revisions and new editions (something perhaps particularly relevant in a world where educational materials face increasing scrutiny and rejection over hot political topics).

Additionally, digital materials can include highly-sought-after multimedia elements–like difficult-to-print graphs, diagrams, and photos–without increasing paper and ink costs.

In sharp contrast with the rising price of traditional textbooks, the lower prices of digital materials can attract students, who are “demanding easier-to-access and more affordable education materials” (John Fallon, CEO of Pearson). This kind of “digital-first model lowers prices for students and, over time, increases revenues.”?

School and district content cost savings can then be valuably redirected–into more high quality digital learning assets, or other much-needed areas of attention.

Leveraging Expertise and Authority in Education

Textbook publishers possess extensive expertise and experience in developing educational materials. They have a deep understanding of curriculum requirements, subject matter, and pedagogical approaches. And each individual textbook represents a huge investment of time and effort (The Value of a Textbook).?

By working with publisher-curated content, teachers save valuable time and ensure educational materials are accurate, comprehensive, and aligned with educational standards.

Since they already have established relationships across schools and educational institutions, publishers also hold a position of authority in the education landscape. By collaborating with educators, researchers, and edtech companies, publishers can pioneer new approaches to education–leveraging their unique positions to advance research and development, explore innovative technologies and methodologies to enhance the learning experience, and nurture the adoption of effective digital solutions.

Beyond the Book: The Future of Education Hinges On Innovation and Adaptation

Textbook publishers have a unique opportunity to lead the evolution of education by embracing digital learning, aligning with student preferences, and championing accessibility and quality.?

By taking on this responsibility, publishers can lighten the load on teachers, improve student outcomes, and ultimately become key players in education’s evolution from crisis to revolution.

To see more from the AI Learning Journal, click here. We're a group of inventors, AI engineers, educators, and creatives riding the wave of AI adoption and growing with it. This not only grants us profound insight into its remarkable power but also compels us to address the crucial considerations at hand.