Digital Transformation for 2025 & History of the Textbook in Higher Education

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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The use of textbooks has been a standard practice across educational institutions since the 16th century. However, at the turn of the 21st century, these resources have slowly given way to their digital counterparts. After all, compared to printed textbooks, they are convenient to carry around, often cheaper, and easier to access.

Records show that the first ever e-book was published in 1971 when Project Gutenberg digitized the Declaration of Independence (Government Book Talk, 2014). However, it was not until the 2000s that electronic textbooks became ubiquitous. One of the reasons for this was the push by then-governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. With the state’s coffers in dire straits, the actor-turned-politician pushed for the use of free and open-source e-textbooks or e-texts in schools (Lewin, 2009).

And, of course, there is the matter of the rising costs of textbooks, especially in college. In this level of education, a single textbook can have a price tag of over $100 according to latest school statistics (Smith, 2009). For most students, that is not practical, as they may not use such textbooks again or they could become outdated quickly. As a result, many turned to rent-a-textbook services or bought cheaper online textbooks instead.

How The Textbook Evolved Through Time: Table of Contents

1. Evolution of the Textbook
2. Textbook Prices and Sales in the Past 20 Years
3. Intrusion by Rent-a-Textbook Services
4. What Role Do Digital Textbooks Play in Broadening Remote Learning Access?
5. How Big Publishers Are Reacting to the Shift
6. How Can Educational Institutions Optimize Digital Textbook Integration?
7. How Can Digital Textbooks Optimize Online Learning Environments?
8. Current Digital Textbooks Prices and Sales
9. Do Digital Textbooks Improve Academic Outcomes?
10. Textbooks and Personalized Learning
11. Can Digital Textbooks Accelerate Degree Completion?
12. How Are Digital Textbooks Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusivity?
13. Do Digital Textbooks Empower Career Advancement?

Evolution of the Textbook

From paper-based to digital

If you were wondering, “When were textbooks invented?", you would find that they were in use since the 16th century. And since the 19th century, they have been a staple in providing educational instruction. Today, however, we are witnessing seismic changes as education incorporates more and more digital tools. 

The transformation of the textbook from paper to electronic began when Apple released the iBooks Author. This application was designed for users of Mac desktops and MacBooks. With this software, Bass (2012) explained that publishers were able to produce electronic books that others can peruse on iPads. 

Of course, eBooks were already around long before iBooks Author, according to the same writer. However, they were available only in limited formats, some of which were not compatible with iPads.

Education publishers also took advantage of this innovation. Even schools themselves utilized it to help their instructors publish or to provide their students with a different kind of resource. higher education eBooks became more attractive, as iPads and similar devices would be more lightweight to carry.

Multi-touch books, as Apple likes to call eBooks, are also more interactive compared to the traditional textbook (Educause, 2012). Because it supports rich media, an ebook can include learning materials that make it more engaging such as videos, 3D objects, and interactive maps and tables, quizzes, and instant assessments. 

The emergence of eBooks and ePubs

As discussed above, iBooks Author was one of the applications that propelled the eBook and the eTextbook forward in their early days. That app is now defunct, though, and has been replaced by the more modern Pages. It has similar functions but it has an improved range of capabilities as well. Among these is the ability to edit eBooks created with its precursor. In this way, those who did not finish writing their books before Apple halted support for iBooks Author could pick up where they left off. Additionally, it enables real-time collaboration between authors and editors. There is a whole slew of features for designing and adding media, too.

Apart from Pages, there are numerous apps that have powerful capabilities for creating, designing, and publishing eBooks. These robust solutions are part of the worldwide trend toward interactive learning. Different entities have different opinions but here are some that appear in various lists:

Scrivener

Scrivener is a word-processing software similar to Microsoft Word. What makes it different is its interface and features are designed for ease of use by writers, editors, and publishers alike. For the latter, Scrivener offers a compilation feature, which readies the work in publication-ready formats like PDF (Literature & Latte, 2021).

Calibre

Some may know Calibre as an eBook library organizer. However, the software is more than that: it can convert eBooks into different formats like MOBI and AZW3. It also lets users edit metadata so that authors and publishers can change the cover image, edit the title, and add tags and descriptions (Bit.ai, 2020).

Adobe InDesign

This eBook publication heavyweight is great for publishing companies’ designers. Because of Adobe’s background in design, Adobe InDesign has a whole feature set that allows publishers and authors to be creative with their covers. Of course, they can also customize the formatting and other visual elements of the book (Birand, 2018).

EDUCAUSE (2012) also mentions other products or services that publishers utilize to enrich their eBook textbooks:

3D Issue

It is a digital publishing app that allows users to make materials for Android and iOS that are formatted like magazines. 3D Issue is also a flipbook software that enables users to convert PDFs into flipbooks that can be read using any device.

Inkling Habitat

This is a cloud-based authoring platform that is interactive and lets authors and publishers preview the content on different devices. Remote teams use Inkling Habitat to help them collaborate in creating interactive content.

Vook

This digital publishing service helps authors and companies to customize their eBook content. Vook allows content creators to easily add images, videos, and audio from anywhere.

AcademicPub

AcademicPub, now XanEdu, offers a platform that lets authors and publishers build books by themselves. An account also gives users access to a vast content library. Apart from this, they can opt to take advantage of the full service that includes book building and personalized support.

Challenges of interactive learning

There is much ado about digital college textbooks because they are a rich resource for interactive learning. This is a game-changer, as content is more engaging, allowing learners to grasp ideas and concepts better with various elements like photos and videos. Best of all, it also activates various sections of the neurological system (Infonerd, 2019).

But while it is promising, there are still challenges that come with interactive learning. Rutgers University (2020) shares some of the common issues that their instructors have encountered themselves:

• Difficulty in controlling the direction of class discussion. Interactive learning means that lecturers veer away from presenting topics in class, thus making it difficult to steer the class discussion.
• Course design. Interactive learning, together with interactive resources, change the way lecturers handle courses. Current course designs may not be enough or are not able to keep up with the new technologies.
• Distracting elements. While images, videos, 3D elements, and other assets enhance understanding, they can also be causes of distractions. Such is often the case when creating digital presentations and using PowerPoint viewers.
• Assessment. Instructors are used to handing out written assessments but those may not be enough in the changing the learning landscape.

Textbook Prices and Sales in the Past 20 Years

In 2018, textbook publishers had combined revenues of $8.79 billion. This is more than $1 billion less than the previous year’s total revenue. From 2010 to 2018, the textbook publishing industry’s peak year was 2015. That year, they earned $11.7 billion in revenue (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Of that number, around $4.53 billion came from publishers of higher education textbooks, according to the Association of American Publishers (AAP, 2020).

However, the latest data from the same organization of publishers shows that educational books’ revenue is on a downward trend. In 2019, educational publishers earned only $7.3 billion. The textbooks sold at the higher education level only amounted to $3.23 billion while PreK-12 textbooks earned $4.07 billion. Between the two, only the latter has a positive growth with a 20.4% difference between 2018 and 2019. The former, on the other hand, had a -10.9% difference.

This change coincides with the report by Student Watch (2020) that student spending on course materials went down to an average of $415 in 2018/2019 from $484 in 2017/2018. This is due to the rising price of textbooks, which has increased by 885% between January 2006 and July 2016 (UTA Libraries, 2020).

The reason for this decline is two-fold: the prevalence of rent-a-textbook services and the popularity of e-textbooks which can even be purchased from stores that give student discounts.

Intrusion by Rent-a-Textbook Services

Buying textbooks, even used ones, can be financially prohibitive. To remedy that, many students have turned to rent-a-textbook services. Not only do they get the course materials that they need, but they also save money. These services, however, have become educational publishers’ biggest competition.

While the savings are a huge pro when it comes to renting textbooks, there are also cons. One of those is quite similar to borrowing a book from the library: late fees. If a student is to return a book even a day late, they will incur a penalty. With Chegg, borrowers pay 25% of the rental cost plus tax. However, that extends the rental and gives them ample time to return the books on loan. After that, they will be charged a purchase fee. Nevertheless, they still have seven days to return the book and given a refund on the purchase (Chegg, 2020).

Additionally, students can be penalized if they damage the books they rent. In some cases, companies might ask borrowers to replace the damaged book. Plus, students cannot, of course, resell the books they loaned. That means they are unable to recoup their rental expenses, unlike books they own, which they could resell for a fraction of the original price. Another con would be the temporary use of borrowed books. Some titles may be useful beyond one semester, so continuing to rent the books may hurt the finances more than just buying them (Tretina, 2020).

Chegg

Chegg.com had its start in 2005 as a textbook rental company for students. The service is one of the earliest and one of the biggest in the field. The company ships rented books directly to the doorsteps of borrowers and they can return the books at no cost to them at all. Students can take advantage of convenient rental terms, as they can choose to loan a book for a semester or a quarter. Best of all, many of the textbooks in the Chegg database can be rented for $13. And if students prefer, they can also borrow an electronic version of a textbook, if available.

The website also shows that by the end of 2019, Chegg had 3.9 million subscribers. This translates to a 29% year-on-year increase. While this number reflects not just the textbook rental service but all of the company’s services, it still goes to show that it is successful in its business model and remains to be one of the top textbook rental sites in the world.

Amazon

In 2012, Amazon announced that it was launching a new service: textbook rental. Just like Chegg, Amazon offers free shipping of books to students and makes returning them hassle-free at no cost, too. Additionally, the company offers the option to purchase the book at the end of the rental term. It is not only physical textbooks that are available in the Amazon database, e-textbooks abound for students who prefer digital course materials (Bishop, 2012).

Others

There are more than ten big textbook rental services available now. Even Barnes & Noble has its own textbook rental offering. Other companies, though, like Campus Book Rentals, w1ere put up specifically to provide college students with more affordable textbook options. These allow students to borrow a physical copy of a course material for a set time. The pricing of these services vary and they may not provide free shipping and free return but offer other perks. For example, Campus Book Rentals allow students to treat their borrowed books as their own and does not penalize them for highlighting texts (Farrington, 2020). So, many consider it as one of the best textbook rental sites today.

What Role Do Digital Textbooks Play in Broadening Remote Learning Access?

Digital textbooks have become pivotal in expanding educational access for remote and nontraditional learners. They offer flexible, always-updated resources that adapt quickly to curriculum changes and emerging academic needs. Enhanced with integrated tools for annotation, real-time feedback, and seamless collaboration, these materials support asynchronous study and virtual classroom interactions. By leveraging digital platforms, educational institutions strengthen engagement, reduce infrastructural constraints, and streamline cross-regional learning—key factors propelling models used by online universities.

How Big Publishers Are Reacting to the Shift

Pearson

Pearson is one of the largest publishers of educational books. Because of the rise of textbook rental services, their market size had a huge chunk bitten off. To remedy this, they have turned to electronic textbooks or e-textbooks.

With this turn towards the digital, textbooks that once cost more than $100 could now be acquired for as little as $40. This has borne great rewards to Pearson, as more than half of its revenue is now coming from digital textbook sales (Barrett, 2019).

Apart from that, the publishing house has launched an app called Aida that aids learners who are studying calculus. It personalizes learning and even provides feedback to users.

McGraw-Hill

McGraw-Hill has also embraced the digital. The publisher reported that in 2019, for the first time, digital sales overtook print sales. Digital products had an 8% year-on-year growth and accounted for more than 50% of the company’s earnings.

The publisher has also ventured on a digital platform that students from K-12 to higher education can use for adaptive learning. It considers a student’s knowledge and guides them to what to study next using that information.

Apart from these, McGraw-Hill has other initiatives as well, like textbook rental. This has made materials from the educational publisher more affordable (McGraw-Hill, 2019).

Cengage

Cengage (2020) reported in early 2020 that the company will be assisting college students in saving on textbooks. This help came in the form of a subscription to a service called Cengage Unlimited eTextbooks. This allows higher education learners to access more than 14,000 educational texts for only $69.99 a semester. 

Before that, the publishing company already had the Cengage Unlimited textbook subscription service package. This enabled 2.2 million students to save on textbooks and other materials required for their courses. 

How Can Educational Institutions Optimize Digital Textbook Integration?

Educational institutions can maximize the benefits of digital textbooks by aligning them with robust learning management systems, ensuring seamless interoperability across devices, and investing in thorough educator training. A strategic approach involves updating curriculum workflows, actively monitoring user analytics, and fostering collaborations with technology partners to fine‐tune content delivery. In addition, institutions offering accelerated programs can integrate digital textbooks with adaptive platforms to personalize academic pathways while maintaining data security and compliance with accessibility standards.

How Can Digital Textbooks Optimize Online Learning Environments?

Digital textbooks can serve as the backbone of efficient online learning environments when integrated with advanced learning management systems and adaptive technologies. Institutions can enhance content delivery by aligning digital textbooks with real-time feedback mechanisms and rigorous cybersecurity protocols, ensuring both seamless user experiences and data privacy. This approach enables educators to update curriculum rapidly, tailor learning paths to individual student needs, and maximize resource efficiency. Stakeholders are encouraged to consider platforms that support comprehensive digital integration and cost-effective study models, such as cheap online colleges without application fee.

Current Digital Textbook Prices and Sales

By estimates, around 1.8 billion units of ebooks were sold from 2010 to 2019. It is, however, difficult to determine how much of that went to educational ebooks, as sales are difficult to track. Nevertheless, this demonstrates the continuing rise of electronic books.

A cursory look at Amazon would show that an electronic textbook can cost as much as $30 less than a physical textbook or even a loose-leaf textbook. Among digital textbook examples found on the site, the Essentials of Sociology costs $65 to own. In contrast, a new paperback version of the title goes for $99.95 while the loose-leaf version is $77. Prices can also vary depending on what source type is a printed textbook prepared from.

With this turn towards the digital, textbooks that once cost more than $100 could now be acquired for as little as $40 or even less. Perhaps, that is why educational publishers are taking a more active digital approach. Not only does it make their textbooks attractive to students, professors, and schools alike, but it also lets them remain competitive against rent-a-textbook services and used textbooks stores.

Do Digital Textbooks Improve Academic Outcomes?

Digital textbooks contribute to enhanced academic performance by enabling real‐time feedback, data-driven instructional adjustments, and targeted remediation without compromising rigor. Leveraging adaptive analytics, these platforms allow educators to precisely track learning outcomes and promptly identify areas that require further reinforcement. Moreover, the integration of interactive elements and continuously updated content creates a learning environment that supports both traditional classroom settings and nontraditional programs, such as the easiest degree to get.

How has the role of textbooks evolved to support personalized learning?

In the context of digital transformation, the role of textbooks is expanding beyond being a static source of information to becoming dynamic tools that support personalized learning. Personalized learning, which tailors educational content to individual students' learning paces, styles, and preferences, has gained momentum through advancements in technology. Here’s how textbooks, especially digital ones, are evolving to support this approach:

• Adaptive Learning Features: Digital textbooks increasingly integrate adaptive learning technologies that monitor student progress and adjust content in real time. This enables students to spend more time on challenging topics while progressing quickly through familiar material, fostering a more efficient learning experience.
• Data-Driven Insights for Educators: With built-in analytics, digital textbooks allow educators to track student engagement, completion rates, and comprehension levels. These insights help teachers identify students who may need additional support or alternative learning strategies, enabling a proactive approach to instruction.
• Customizable Content: Digital textbooks often allow for customization, letting educators or students add, remove, or rearrange sections based on the curriculum or individual learning needs. This flexibility supports a curriculum that can evolve alongside students’ progress and interests.
• Engagement through Interactive Features: Personalized learning thrives on engaging students in ways that resonate with them. Interactive features such as quizzes, simulations, and instant feedback in digital textbooks provide students with immediate, tailored feedback, making learning more immersive and responsive.
• Accessibility and Language Options: Personalized learning benefits from accessible design, and many digital textbooks offer accessibility features for students with disabilities or non-native speakers, such as screen reader compatibility and multiple language options.

Can Digital Textbooks Accelerate Degree Completion?

Digital textbooks, with their interactive features and on-demand accessibility, have opened pathways for more accelerated academic progress. Enhanced by multimedia content, embedded assessments, and adaptive learning tools, these resources enable students to master topics at a pace that aligns closely with their individual learning needs. Institutions leveraging these digital innovations are exploring models that integrate curricular frameworks with accelerated programs, such as the fastest associates degree. Early indicators suggest that this approach not only reinforces comprehension but also allows for a more efficient progression through degree requirements.

How Are Digital Textbooks Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusivity?

Digital textbooks are increasingly meeting established accessibility standards to serve a diverse range of learners. They incorporate features such as screen reader compatibility, adjustable text sizes, high-contrast display options, and navigable content structures that adhere to WCAG guidelines. These enhancements not only improve usability for students with disabilities but also support personalized learning environments for all users. With these innovations, educational institutions can seamlessly integrate adaptive learning modules and direct learners toward advanced programs like the quickest, cheapest master's degree, ultimately broadening academic access while ensuring that inclusivity remains a foundational pillar.

Do Digital Textbooks Empower Career Advancement?

Digital textbooks are increasingly serving as catalysts for bridging academic learning with professional growth. They enable flexible, self-paced study that accommodates the schedules of working professionals and career changers, while robust analytics guide institutions in updating content to meet emerging industry demands. These platforms foster dynamic learning environments that support continuous upskilling and credentialing, ultimately paving the way for accelerated career pathways. For instance, learners may leverage these tools to enroll in compressed programs such as 1 year masters, aligning academic achievements with tangible professional outcomes.

The Future of Physical Textbooks

Judging from the data, it is unlikely that physical textbooks will regain their foothold in the publishing realm. Electronic textbooks have overtaken them and with publishing houses taking a digital-first stance, physical textbooks may remain but they wouldn’t be as popular as they used to be. Plus, more students nowadays are opting for digital vs paper notes, making digital books a good fit. 

However, there are still things that could impede the complete adoption of digital textbooks in schools in the United States: the digital divide. Not all students have all-around access to computers, laptops, or other devices that would allow them to read and study electronic textbooks all the time. Thus, they may have to get creative in acquiring the materials they need for their courses.

Nevertheless, with the change in the approach of educational publishers regarding educational texts, digital textbooks could continue gaining traction.

Key Insights

• Digital Transition: Textbooks have evolved from paper-based formats to digital counterparts, significantly impacting the educational landscape.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Digital textbooks are generally more affordable than printed versions, offering substantial savings for students and educational institutions.
• Enhanced Interactivity: eBooks and eTextbooks offer interactive features such as videos, 3D objects, quizzes, and instant assessments, which enhance learning engagement and effectiveness.
• Challenges: Despite their advantages, digital textbooks face challenges such as course design, potential distractions, and accessibility issues due to the digital divide.
• Market Trends: The textbook publishing industry has seen a decline in physical textbook sales, with a significant shift towards digital sales driven by major publishers like Pearson, McGraw-Hill, and Cengage.
• Rent-a-Textbook Services: These services have become popular due to their cost-saving benefits, although they present challenges like late fees, damage penalties, and lack of resale value.

FAQ

1. What led to the shift from printed textbooks to digital textbooks? The shift from printed to digital textbooks was driven by the increasing cost of printed textbooks, the convenience and affordability of digital formats, and the advancements in technology that enabled the creation and distribution of interactive eBooks. Initiatives like those by California’s former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also played a role in promoting the use of digital textbooks in schools.
2. What are the benefits of digital textbooks compared to printed ones? Digital textbooks are generally cheaper, easier to carry, and more accessible than printed textbooks. They also offer interactive features like videos, 3D objects, and quizzes that enhance learning engagement and effectiveness. Additionally, digital textbooks can be updated more easily to reflect new information.
3. What challenges do digital textbooks face in educational settings? Digital textbooks face challenges such as difficulties in course design to fully leverage interactive features, potential distractions from multimedia elements, and issues with assessing student performance through traditional written methods. Additionally, not all students have consistent access to the necessary digital devices due to the digital divide.
4. How have textbook prices and sales changed over the past 20 years? Textbook prices have increased significantly, with an 885% rise between January 2006 and July 2016. However, revenues from textbook sales have declined, particularly from 2015 to 2019, due to the increasing popularity of rent-a-textbook services and digital textbooks, which offer more affordable alternatives.
5. What are rent-a-textbook services, and what are their pros and cons? Rent-a-textbook services allow students to borrow textbooks for a specific period, usually at a lower cost than purchasing them. Pros include cost savings and convenience, while cons include penalties for late returns and damaged books, and the inability to resell rented books. Some services, like Chegg and Amazon, offer free shipping and returns, adding to their convenience.
6. How are major publishers reacting to the shift towards digital textbooks? Major publishers like Pearson, McGraw-Hill, and Cengage are increasingly focusing on digital textbooks. Pearson now generates more than half of its revenue from digital sales and offers textbooks for as low as $40. McGraw-Hill reported that digital sales overtook print sales for the first time in 2019. Cengage offers a subscription service that provides access to a vast library of digital textbooks for a flat fee per semester.
7. What is the current market trend for digital textbook prices and sales? Digital textbooks are generally priced lower than printed versions, with savings of up to $30 or more per book. The market trend shows a continued rise in the adoption of digital textbooks, driven by their affordability and the interactive features they offer. This trend is supported by major publishers' shift towards digital-first strategies.
8. Will physical textbooks become obsolete in the future? While it is unlikely that physical textbooks will become completely obsolete, their dominance in the educational market is diminishing. Digital textbooks are becoming increasingly popular due to their cost-effectiveness, convenience, and interactive features. However, the digital divide and the need for physical copies in certain situations may ensure that printed textbooks remain in use to some extent.

References

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• Cengage. (2020, August 4). Back to school: Cengage launches new subscription option to help college students save on textbooks. Cision PR Newswire.
• Census Bureau. (2019). Estimated sources of revenue for employer firms: 2013 through 2019. Service Annual Survey Latest Data (NAICS-basis): 2019. Suitland-Silver Hill, MD: U.S. Bureau of Census.
• Chegg. (2020, February 10). Chegg reports 2019 financial results and raises 2020 guidance. Chegg Investor Relations.
• Chegg. (2020). Rent or buy books and eTextbooks. Chegg Books.
• Chegg. (2020). What happens if I return my books late? Chegg Help Center.
• Farrington, R. (2020, February 11). Comparing the best college textbook rental sites for 2020. The College Investor.
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• Lewin, T. (2009, August 10). In a digital future, textbooks are history. The New York Times.
• McGraw-Hill. (2019, November 19). McGraw-Hill reports strong growth in digital sales and expansion of affordability- and outcomes-focused initiatives for higher education market. McGraw Hill Education.
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• Tretina, K. (2020, May 27). College textbook rental: How and where to rent and save. Student Loan Hero.
• UTA Libraries. (2020, July 22). Subject and course guides: Introduction to open educational resources: Cost. University of Texas at Arlington.