The U-M eTextbook Initiative will host demonstrations by four etextbook vendors in the coming weeks to give students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to preview and evaluate the various platforms. The feedback collected at these sessions will inform the initiative’s selection of an etextbook platform for the campus, which will be implemented in select courses in the coming fall semester.

The four vendors–CourseSmart, Courseload, Lecture Tools, and Vital Source–will each make a one day visit to campus, offering features demonstrations for faculty and students in morning sessions at the Hatcher Graduate Library, and afternoon sessions on North Campus (coffee and tea will be served). The morning sessions on each day include an overview and introduction from 8:30 am-9:00 am. The demonstrations are open to everyone on campus, though the group is particularly interested in input from students and faculty–that is, prospective etextbook users.

The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, March 20th: CourseSmart:
9:00 am – 10:45 am, Hatcher Library Gallery;
4:00 pm – 5:45 pm, East Room, Pierpoint Commons

Friday, March 23rd: Courseload:
9:00 am – 10:45 am, Hatcher Library Gallery;
4:00 pm – 5:45 pm, 2150 Dow

Tuesday, March 27th: LectureTools:
9:00 am – 10:45 am, Hatcher Library Gallery;
4:00 pm – 5:45 pm, East Room, Pierpoint Commons

Wednesday, March 28th: VitalSource:
9:00 am – 10:45 am, Hatcher Library Gallery;
4:00 pm – 5:45 pm, 2150 Dow