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Students to get free digital books with new eTextbook agreement

24/09/2021
Kortext

The University of Wolverhampton has signed an agreement with the UK’s leading supplier of digital textbooks to provide students with free essential reading matter for their courses.

The eTextbook Scheme, run by Kortext, will launch in September 2021 at the University as a one-year pilot project.

Kortext works with 4,000+ publishers including Pearson, McGraw Hill, Wiley and Oxford University Press, supplying over 2 million digital books to students in 80 countries around the world.

The Kortext Complete scheme will mean that all taught students at the University will receive digital copies of core textbooks needed for their course for free.

Jo-Anne Watts, University Librarian, said: “Providing essential resources, such as textbooks, to our students can cut the cost of university, removing hidden course costs and ensuring no student is disadvantaged in terms of access to essential reading.

“We know that digital exclusion impacts a significant number of our students, and that poor access to digital resources is considered a contributing factor to low engagement in learning. Therefore, accessibility and digital inclusion were key factors in the decision to pilot Kortext Complete.

“We are introducing this scheme, in part, to offset the challenges that students have faced in accessing ebooks during the past 18 months. Unlike existing ebook provision, there are no usage limitations on the eTextbooks, no caps on numbers of students that can read texts at any time, and no restrictive licenses prohibiting use by TNE students, partner students, or distance learners.

“This move will support a key pillar of Vision 2030 enabling students to reach their full potential and helping staff to deliver a highly engaging learning experience.”

Kevin Watt, Director of Academic Engagement at Kortext said “Always-accessible e-learning materials have been essential for students since the beginning of the pandemic.

"Online access to this material, in a way that facilitates collaborative teaching and learning, is now becoming the default operating model for forward thinking universities such as the University of Wolverhampton in 2021.

"As part of an effective university blended learning model, students not only gain free and easy access to digital resources but also tool sets that enable deep engagement with the learning content, in a way that supports research lead, collaborative learning."    

Anyone looking to study at the University of Wolverhampton should register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.

 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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