Beyond the Pages: How eBooks are Transforming Teaching and Libraries
Higher education institutions have undergone significant changes in recent years, driven by shifts in student demographics, evolving expectations, and the necessity for remote or hybrid learning models. Universities and colleges have had to adapt quickly to these changes, reevaluating their teaching methodologies and resources to meet the needs of a new generation of students who have grown up in a digital world.
One of the most notable changes has been the shift to digital resources in higher education. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote and hybrid learning, pushing educators and students to rely more on digital tools. Once the epicenter of campus life, libraries have had to innovate and expand their digital offerings to stay relevant, accessible, and meet students’ expectations.
At a recent webinar, distinguished panelists - James Stephens, Head of Library Services at the University of Cumbria, and Rebekah Rousi, Associate Professor at the University of Vaasa - discussed the fundamental role of eBooks in reshaping teaching and library services, with a particular focus on how they utilize Sage Catalyst at their institutions. This blog post aims to share the key takeaways from the conversation.
Impact on Teaching and Libraries
Both James and Rebekah agreed that the digital transformation underway in recent years has had a profound impact on both teaching and libraries. Educators are now integrating digital textbooks and resources into their curriculum, offering more personalized and flexible learning experiences. To support this, libraries are expanding their digital collections to include eBooks and other electronic resources, ensuring that students have access to the materials they need anytime, anywhere.
James has observed how attitudes towards eTextbooks have changed. When the University of Cumbria identified the need for eResources very early on, 12 years ago, academics had a lot of suspicion towards eResources.
“They didn’t quite believe that the text in the eBook was the same as in the print version, and we had to do a lot of persuading.”
James Stephens, Head of Library Services at the University of Cumbria
He added that nowadays, they no longer have to persuade academics about eResources. Faculty and students request the eBook version of a title before the print version. Thus, proving that there is a significant need for eTextbooks in academic libraries.
Implementing changes in the library
As libraries have inevitably adapted to accommodate the needs and expectations of academics and students on and off campus, the way they utilise space and the type of resources they hold has also shifted.
At the University of Cumbria, a user experience survey revealed that students want more differentiated learning spaces on campus. One advantage of eBooks is that they help minimize the space needed for physical bookshelves and make it possible to create more diverse learning environments for students. James emphasizes that this doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for digital and print to coexist. They should both be available at the library. He quotes Thomas Shaw, a deputy library director at King’s College London:
“Today’s libraries are a synthesis of digital and physical, but with people in their heart.”
James says this is precisely what they are trying to achieve at the University of Cumbria. He adds that their print borrowing plummeted during the pandemic, and since they’ve been back on campus, it hasn’t recovered to its pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, the borrowing and usage of eBooks doubled during the pandemic and have continued to rise.
Changing student demographics and rising expectations
Today's students are diverse and tech-savvy, with many balancing full-time jobs and other commitments alongside their studies. They expect seamless access to high-quality educational resources without the hassle of physically visiting the library. This shift in student demographics and expectations has further underscored the importance of digital resources in modern higher education.
“No one has enough time to go to the library, let alone queue for a book with only 5 copies for a class of 50-150 students. So digital tools are incredibly important, particularly in gaining direct access to quality material at all times of the day.”
Rebekah Rousi
Associate Professor at the University of Vaasa
It’s not just the way students interact with their courses that has changed, but also their expectations of their learning experience. Students now demand being able to access their course material seamlessly, and with technology so embedded in their daily lives, this is hardly a surprise.
James comments that students expect to find library books and resources as easily as they do with a TV show on Netflix. Rebekah also highlights how student life has changed – the right resources must be available immediately at the time of need and in the right place – usually at home.
This expectation to access course reading lists immediately through a friction-free and seamless experience has led both the University of Cumbria and Vaasa to turn to eBooks (particularly Sage Catalyst) to make this possible.
Benefits of eBooks
The need for eBooks in higher education is apparent. However, besides helping libraries meet student expectations and supporting hybrid learning, eBooks have numerous other benefits for students and educators, enhancing the learning experience in several ways.
Accessibility and Convenience
eBooks provide instant access to vast educational materials, allowing students to study whenever and wherever they choose. James adds that the 24/7 access to eBooks is another benefit, especially for students with busy schedules who may not have the time to visit a physical library. Additionally, eBooks can be accessed on various devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones, making learning more flexible and convenient.
Cost-Effectiveness
Digital textbooks can be purchased on a range of model and purchasing a large collection of titles on a subscription basis is a cost-effective option for many institutions. With libraries making this investment, it ensures education is more affordable and accessible for students, reducing the financial burden of purchasing multiple textbooks each semester. Furthermore, eBooks eliminate the need for physical storage space, allowing libraries to allocate resources more efficiently.
Enhanced Learning Tools
eBooks offer various interactive features that enhance the learning experience. James highlights the importance of personalization tools and accessibility features, such as highlighting text, annotations, controlling the size, colour, reading the text aloud, and searching within the content like an interactive index. Many eBooks also include multimedia elements such as videos, quizzes, and interactive simulations, providing a more engaging and immersive learning environment.
Sustainability
A fundamental components of the United Nations’ sustainable development 2030 agenda, Education also has its own requirements to meet when it comes to improving sustainability, reducing emissions, and minimising costs. Digital technologies have emerged as an essential tool to achieve environmentally friendly estate management, space utilisation and improved campus efficiency. The use of eBooks aligns with this growing emphasis, something Rebekah Rousi is keen to prioritise. By reducing the need for printed materials, eBooks help minimize the environmental impact associated with paper production and transportation. However, what became clear during our discussion was the complex nature of determining the sustainable impact of digital versus print resources.
Why Sage Catalyst?
Sage Catalyst is a library resource that includes Sage’s premium textbooks. It is curated to provide wide coverage across the entire social science curriculum and is designed to meet the needs of a hybrid classroom. It offers a full suite of study tools to increase student engagement.
Extensive Collection
Sage Catalyst a vast collection of premium textbooks providing wide social science curriculum coverage. This extensive collection ensures that educators have access to high-quality materials relevant to their courses and can easily update their reading lists.
When we asked James what factors he considered before investing in Sage Catalyst, he highlighted that most titles on their library’s wish list were in the collection, and they worked out that the collection would enrich 900 of their 1300 reading lists.
“The affordability and value for money are something we had to consider as we’re a small institution, but our main driver was student satisfaction.”
James Stephens
Head of Library Services at the University of Cumbria
Multiple User Access
Sage Catalyst allows multiple users to access the same eTextbook simultaneously. James highlights the significant benefit of this over other eTextbook providers where the library can only afford to buy either single or very small concurrent user licenses. The unlimited, concurrent access that Sage Catalyst offers helps reduce frustration among students and ensures that everyone has equal access to the resources they need.
Personalized Learning Tools & Enhanced Accessibility Features
Sage Catalyst aims to remove barriers to knowledge by putting accessibility at the forefront to meet the needs of all students. Students can personalize their learning by changing the font, text size, switch between day/night mode, and change the margin size and spacing. They can also use a full suite of study tools, including highlighting text and making annotations, making it easier for students to engage with the content and retain information.
Supporting Student Engagement
Sage Catalyst is designed to support student engagement and improve learning outcomes. The interactive features and personalized tools help create a more dynamic and engaging learning experience, encouraging students to take an active role in their education.
Academic Support
Sage Catalyst also offers valuable support for academic staff. It helps educators plan their courses and guide students toward relevant literature. The user-friendly interface and comprehensive collection make it easy for educators to find and recommend high-quality resources, enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.
“From a teaching perspective, Catalyst helps guide my planning. It has a great selection of textbooks. Every now and then, you have to update your reading list for your subject, and I have been using Catalyst to see if any new titles would work better than what I’m currently using.”
Rebekah Rousi
Associate Professor at the University of Vaasa
The Sage Catalyst Difference
Sage Catalyst has enhanced and enriched the eBook provision at the University of Cumbria. James tells us that since they subscribed to the collection, they have completed the National Student Survey (NSS), and their library has maintained above the national average. Sage Catalyst has contributed to that and what they’ve been doing to meet student expectations.
He adds that being able to provide some of the titles that academics have been requesting for many years in electronic format has made a big difference to their library. They’ve been able to justify the cost every year for Sage Catalyst because their usage has been up, and the cost per use for students has been very healthy.
In conclusion, the shift to digital resources in higher education has transformed the way we teach and learn. eBooks have become essential, offering numerous benefits such as accessibility, cost-effectiveness, enhanced learning tools, and sustainability. Sage Catalyst stands out as a leading eTextbook collection, providing extensive resources, personalized learning tools, seamless access, and strong support for students and educators.
If you’re ready to elevate your teaching and library services, Sage Catalyst is the perfect solution. Learn more about Sage Catalyst and discover how our comprehensive eTextbook collection can transform your educational experience.
Interested to watch the whole webinar?
Click here to watch the webinar recording and stay tuned for more insights and updates on the evolving landscape of digital education.