U Missouri Program Connects Students to Digital Course Materials
The University of Missouri System is partnering with Pearson on a digital delivery program aimed at giving students easier access to course content and better preparing them for the first day of class. Launched in fall 2014 and administrated through the university's campus stores, the program, called AutoAccess, connects students to digital course materials, including Pearson e-books as well as MyLab and Mastering online homework, tutorial and assessment technologies. To date, more than 18,000 students have enrolled in the program.
"The AutoAccess program has resulted in streamlined access to course materials, as well as reduced costs for our students," noted Sherry Pollard, director of campus retail at the University of Missouri, in a press release. "We are excited to continue this collaboration with faculty and content providers in our efforts to support student success."
Course material pricing is presented up-front, "often resulting in savings of 35 percent or more over the cost of a printed textbook for learners and eliminating the time-consuming task of having to research where to buy the least expensive course materials," according to a statement from Pearson. The program also provides educators with data to shed light on student performance and needs for early intervention.
According to Tom Malek, Pearson's VP of channel partnerships, North America, "Through careful planning, implementation and on-going refinement of strategies, we're partnering with institutions to grow their campus's digital footprint, reduce textbook costs, improve student access to course materials which provides the added value of convenience, and provide educators with the ability to harness data to evaluate the achievement of learner outcomes."
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Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].