In a recent press release the Eminata Group, one of Canada's larger independent post-secondary institutions, and Pearson are partnering to deliver all of Eminat’s campus’ course content via Apple iPad. This is the largest such initiative in North America. It currently being piloted in a few programs in four campuses but over the next three years the partnership hopes to bring all programs under a digital delivery system. The pilot covers hundreds of Pearson texts, and will allow students access to content via iPads or back on Macs/PCs.
The number of pilots continues to increase, and it is important that we keep a broader eye to track experiments or developments that might otherwise fly under the radar. The for-profit and professional schools appear to be moving toward digital more quickly. This is likely because of the greater control over curriculum, and student populations that consist more of adult learners and workforce-based learners who tend to find digital course materials more convenient. Even so, these experiments are worth watching as some lessons learned here will flow into the more traditional higher education market.
