Flat World Knowledge
Encyclopedia
Flat World Knowledge is a publisher of college-level open textbooks and educational supplements founded in 2007 by Eric Frank and Jeff Shelstad. Company headquarters are in Irvington, New York
. As of December 2010, the publisher has over 74 textbooks in development or published. Flat World Knowledge utilizes traditional author acquisition, peer-review, and creative processes. The company then offers every textbook published for free using online delivery under the open content
paradigm. Educator teaching supplements and materials consistent with industry norms are available, also at no charge.
“free online and affordable offline.” "Educators choose the book – students choose the format and price," facilitating universal course material access. The company generates revenue if students choose to buy a paid format such as a low-cost printed textbook, audio book, e-book for a device, individual chapters to print themselves, or study aids. The Flat World Knowledge business model
presents a market-based solution to problems in the traditional college textbook
market where a few huge companies hold immense market power
and are resistant to change.
Consistent with the open content
paradigm, academic freedom
in this model rests entirely with educators; educators have complete control over textbook content. Market power
rests nearly exclusively with students because the basic price for textbook access is free; access to textbook resources is greatly expanded under the Flat World open-licensed model.
Educators may on occasion make paid self-study teaching supplements into required course materials. In that instance, the student loses a portion of their market power
yet retains choice
of format and price
for the textbook
itself. Average savings for open-licensed textbook use are 80% or more when compared to traditional publishing models.
.
spring of 2008. Two alpha phases involved faculty and one alpha phase involved students. The company then moved to small-scale private beta testing in 27 classes. Based on results from these studies, the business model
was determined viable and the company moved toward preparing for a public beta launch in January 2009.
to Irvington, New York
to accommodate company growth. As of August 2010, the number of colleges and universities using Flat World open textbooks doubled to 800 higher education institutions. Student users more than tripled with 150,000 students using 24 published titles.
During fall semester 2010, 50 additional titles were announced as in the publication pipeline. 2010 also marked crossing the threshold of having 100 authors signed to write open textbooks for publication by Flat World Knowledge. The company plans to publish open textbooks for the 125 most enrolled in college courses by 2014. The company has expanded their catalog of published titles since August, increasing the number of general education courses they offer textbooks for. Flat World Knowledge expects to publish 40 of the 50 newly announced titles by Spring 2012.
Flat World Knowledge is in their second full academic year of operation and claims they will save 150,000 college students $12 million in textbook costs in the 2010-2011 school year after adoptions by more than 1,300 educators as of August 2010.
In December 2010, Outsell Inc. named Flat World Knowledge as one of “30 to Watch” for 2011 among innovators and disruptors who were selected for “shaking up their respective marketplaces.”
Flat World Knowledge reported adoptions at over 2,000 colleges and universities for use by over 300,000 students in August, 2011. Nine site licensing agreements were reported as of fall semester, including an expansion to 3,000 seats at Virginia State University
and an initial 1,000 seats at University System of Ohio
campuses. Virginia State University reported early positive impacts for course retention rates and academic performance in classes using the seat license model during the 2010-2011 academic year. The company reported forming a new division focused on marketing site license agreements.
The Indiana University
system released a report summarizing two years of research studying e-text use in the university system. Studied were 22 courses with approximately 1,800 students. Evaluated was "how students chose to use their e-textbooks, how they felt about them, and what the impact they had on learning." Some students studied used titles from Flat World Knowledge which have been broadly available in the system since 2010. General study findings were:
In September, 2011, Indiana University
announced a system-wide agreement with Flat World Knowledge and three additional publishers making e-texts available at all campuses for the Spring 2012 semester. A site-license
agreement similar to the model first implemented at Virginia State University
is being used.
In January 2011, $15 million in Series B funding led by Bertelsmann
Digital Media Investments (BDMI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann
AG, and Bessemer Venture Partners
was announced. Returning investors for Series B funding include Valhalla Partners
, GSA Venture Partners (formerly Greenhill SAVP), High Peaks Venture Partners and several angel investors.
Random House
announced an investment in Flat World Knowledge in April, 2011. Random House
is the world's largest publisher of commercial trade books. Random House
chairman and CEO Markus Dohle states Flat World Knowledge is a “transformative company in higher-education publishing” and said, “We [at Random House] share a strong drive to make high-quality academically-oriented content widely available and affordable for students and educators, and we welcome the opportunity to invest in Flat World's growth." Random House
publishes more than 10,000 new hardcovers, paperbacks, audio, and electronic books annually and sells over 400 million books per year.
The investment does not give Random House
a role in the operations of Flat World Knowledge but does offer access to extensive expertise in electronic publishing
. Random House
currently publishes more than 25,000 electronic titles in English, Spanish, and German.
Non-Commercial Share-Alike license, making the company the first commercial publisher of open textbooks. Their titles include numerous foundation textbooks such as Exploring Business, Introduction to Psychology, and Principles of Management.
The company's business model has attracted authors who have published successful textbooks previously such as Caltech economics professor R. Preston McAfee
, marketing author Michael R. Solomon, McGraw-Hill author Jeff Tanner, and economist Timothy Tregarthen. Robert E. Wright
is another of the company's more noted authors.
A unique approach to presenting learning material is represented in the graphic novel Atlas Black: Managing to Succeed
, which is illustrated by Len Simon of Fat Cat Animation. Graphic novel textbooks are published as topical supplements for select Marketing and Management titles.
selected Flat World Knowledge as their partner for an Open Textbook Initiative implemented in the school's Business Administration Department. Cerritos College
evaluated the program and determined it a "tremendous success" according to a 2010 article published in Community College Week. Specific items evaluated and commented on are:
Flat World Knowledge entered into a unique licensing agreement with Virginia State University
in 2010. For eight core business courses, students have access to all electronic formats of select textbooks including study aids. Unlike traditional licensing models, students will retain access to course materials and study aids indefinitely through their Flat World student account. Audio textbook versions and ePub
files similarly do not expire. The price for this universal digital access license is cited as $20 per student by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The Virginia State University
program is featured in the BizEd article "Digital at the Core." Virginia State University
is using the agreement as part of a university effort to "save money, save the environment, improve student retention, and prepare business graduates for the complex working world."
In March 2011, the University System of Ohio
announced the system will be providing 1,000 students free access to Flat World electronic format textbooks and study aids as part of a research project focused on student learning. Flat World Knowledge open textbooks are already in use at multiple system institutions. Research results from this program are intended to assist the system in driving textbook costs down and making college more affordable. These goals are part of the University System of Ohio
's 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education. A site-licensing agreement with the university system will facilitate student access to the full breadth of course materials available for titles selected for the program.
A partnership with Indiana University
using the e-text platform Courseload was announced in September, 2011. Instructors will be able to voluntarily select any Flat World Knowledge title for courses beginning in January, 2012 under terms of the new agreement. Students will have access to all electronic formats and study aids under the volume licensing agreement at a fixed cost per course of $19.95.
, Canada
. The Canadian higher education system faces challenges similar to U.S. higher education providers from the ever escalating costs of traditional college textbooks. Open textbooks from Flat World Knowledge will be actively marketed by the firm to educators and higher education administrators across Canada
.
In addition to use in Canada
, worldwide learners are accessing Flat World Knowledge textbooks regularly. Adoptions have been reported in 44 countries. The company actively promotes use of their free and open textbook
delivery platform to advance education internationally. The most frequent international access originates in India
, China
, the Philippines
, Indonesia
, Malaysia, Egypt
, Pakistan
, Bangladesh
, Romania
, Australia
, the United Kingdom
, and Germany
. International usage is growing rapidly. In March 2011 alone traffic increased enough in four countries to be added to the cited Alexa Internet
traffic ranking report. The "Make it Your Own" (MIYO) feature of the company's publishing platform allows for customization and annotation of published titles in English and other languages.
's Free: The Future of a Radical Price
in 2008.
In 2009, bNet
recognized Flat World Knowledge as an industry innovator for introducing an abundance-based disruptive business model to the college textbook industry. That same year, Flat World Knowledge and Bookshare
were jointly recognized as publishing industry innovators of 2009.
Flat World Knowledge was identified in a 2010 report by Nicole Allen
of The Student PIRGs A Cover to Cover Solution: How Open Textbooks are the Path to Textbook Affordability and the New Media Consortium
's 2010 Horizon Report as a contributor to the rapidly progressing adoption of open content
in higher education.
In December 2010, the American Library Association
’s Business Reference Sources Committee of RUSA’s Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) selected Flat World Knowledge's Business and Economics open textbooks for their 2010 list of "outstanding business reference sources." Specific criteria used by the American Library Association
BRASS when evaluating texts for selection were:
The Flat World Knowledge open textbook
Organizational Behavior by Talya Bauer and Berrin Erdogan was recognized by the Text and Academic Author's Association with a Textbook Excellence Award ("Texty")
in March 2011. "This is the first time that an open textbook
has won a Texty," notes Richard Hull, TAA’s executive director, "and signals the emergence of a new publishing model." Winners are determined by a panel of veteran academic authors. The award seeks to "recognize works for their excellence in the areas of content, presentation, appeal, and teachability."
natively to facilitate compliance with expectations placed on educators for assuring student accessibility
to course materials set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA). For students with text, vision, vision and hearing, or physical disabilities, Flat World Knowledge has partnered with Bookshare
to provide no-charge accessible digital books including an electronic Braille
format. Bookshare
members with qualifying disabilities have immediate access to course and reference materials online as opposed to having to request materials direct from the publisher by mail or through another intermediary. According to Jim Fruchterman
, CEO of Benetech
, the non-profit organization that operates Bookshare
, "Without the cooperation of a publisher such as Flat World, students often wait for weeks to get textbooks in accessible formats and, in some cases, are forced to drop courses due to lack of accessible books. Flat World is the first postsecondary textbook publisher to recognize and alleviate this problem."
advantages over traditional paper textbooks. According to a publishing industry study, an estimated "net [carbon] emission of 8.85 pounds per book [is created for each paper book] sold to consumers." The net carbon emission for textbooks is much higher as the industry average includes high volume small paperbacks, children's books, and many other small form factors popular with consumers.
In 2010-2011, approximately 57.5% of students using Flat World texts opted for entirely digital delivery. As of fall 2011, 70% of students opt for digital formats, significantly reducing the ecologic footprint from textbook use when compared to the historic paper textbook format. Demand for free internet, ePub
, .MOBI (Kindle
), and PDF format books and materials is growing rapidly. Flat World Knowledge is "far ahead of the industry curve" for digital format use.
For the approximately 30% of students who choose a print version over a digital one, Flat World Knowledge uses just-in-time centralized and local print on demand
in their business model
.
Local print on demand
of licensed content offers environmental benefits by saving the need to produce, store, and ship books from a central location - saving energy, natural resources, and cost. Eliminating the need for shipping alone eliminates at least 12.7% of the carbon footprint for paper books.
Flat World Knowledge offers local booksellers the opportunity to license open textbook
content for on-demand printing by the Espresso Book Machine
and similar equipment, removing the need for shipping and warehouse inventory, bulk receiving, and stocking shelves. Local print on demand
is an emerging trend that will help reduce environmental and financial costs of textbooks as the technology is adopted to serve educators and learners who desire print format books.
Some students use accessible and audio formats. Though Braille embosser
s print on paper, it is essential to provide access to educational materials in the format of choice to students regardless of disability. The same electronic file that is provided for a Braille embosser
by Bookshare
for Flat World Knowledge open textbooks is also compatible with many refreshable Braille display
s.
Other accessible and audio mp3 formats are very sustainable as they are electronic.
The no-charge Scribd
PDF reading format does not allow note taking but does allow full-screen viewing. The free Scribd
PDF reading mode is most comparable to reading from a print copy. Page numbers for citations and term definitions contained in margin notes are included in the PDF view.
Any user with access to the Internet is able to use either free reading service. Users can switch back and forth between free reading formats with a single click.
Accessible formats of published works for people with qualifying disabilities are available at no charge through Bookshare
.
, .MOBI (Kindle
), audio mp3, abridged audio study mp3, and optional study tools are available for purchase by students direct, through bookstores, and via select online providers. No use of a paid format is required to access Flat World textbooks. ePub
and .MOBI (Kindle
) formats allow users to access the full functionality of their preferred portable reading device for approximately $25 when purchased direct from Flat World Knowledge.
license compatible with the original work. Accessible derivative work versions of Flat World Knowledge titles are made available for students with disabilities through Bookshare
upon request.
, iPhone
, Kindle
, Nook
, EnTourage eDGe
, Kno
, Sony Reader
, and Android (operating system) devices.
No internet browser preference is stated for general access to free online reading over the Internet. Flat World Knowledge textbooks can be viewed on all major browsers and platforms. The Safari browser on an iPhone
, iPod Touch
or iPad
allows access to Flat World texts with no additional application required according to company information.
is used in the web page markup language
. MathJax
is used to improve compatibility.
Current versions of Gecko (layout engine)
browsers such as Firefox and Camino
, WebKit
browsers Chrome
and Safari
, and Opera (web browser)
support display of MathML
natively.
Internet Explorer 9
released March 2011 displays MathML
. Older versions of Internet Explorer
may require installation of the MathPlayer
plugin for proper display and accessible access for users who rely on screen reader
software.
The free Scribd
PDF option for internet delivery properly displays in all major browsers.
such as Blackboard Learning System
, ANGEL, Moodle
, WebCT
,or Desire2Learn
. Direct linking is available to Flat World textbooks, sections, and individual pages so other means of accumulating content in containers for group access to course learning materials are also supported. This addresses a controversy over time limitations placed on access to course content held by academic period based learning management systems.
Flat World Knowledge provides instructor resources including test banks and lecture slides to registered and verified educators at no charge. Instructor testing and quiz materials are suitable for import into learning management system
s. Specifically cited formats include Blackboard Learning System
, ANGEL, Moodle
, and WebCT
plus a Respondus Neutral Personality file suitable for import to compatible systems. Compatible systems cited by Respondus include those previously listed plus Desire2Learn
and eCollege
.
FLYX content is developed by Lyryx Learning Inc
. under a content-specific license agreement with Flat World Knowledge. FLYX is a paid supplement option but purchase is not required to access the associated textbook title.
license assigned to Flat World textbooks lets users remix, annotate, and build upon the publication non-commercially as long as users give credit to the original author(s) and license their new creations under identical (share-alike
) terms. Translation
s are also automatically permissible under these licenses, either complete or as embedded content within the English or other language text. Educators are allowed to edit, add their own content, or insert annotations in a self-service manner using the Flat World Knowledge publishing engine available over the Internet.
Irvington, New York
Irvington, sometimes known as Irvington-on-Hudson, is an affluent suburban village in the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, north of midtown Manhattan in New York City, and is served by a station stop on the...
. As of December 2010, the publisher has over 74 textbooks in development or published. Flat World Knowledge utilizes traditional author acquisition, peer-review, and creative processes. The company then offers every textbook published for free using online delivery under the open content
Open content
Open content or OpenContent is a neologism coined by David Wiley in 1998 which describes a creative work that others can copy or modify. The term evokes open source, which is a related concept in software....
paradigm. Educator teaching supplements and materials consistent with industry norms are available, also at no charge.
Background
Flat World Knowledge terms their business modelBusiness model
A business model describes the rationale of how an organization creates, delivers, and captures value...
“free online and affordable offline.” "Educators choose the book – students choose the format and price," facilitating universal course material access. The company generates revenue if students choose to buy a paid format such as a low-cost printed textbook, audio book, e-book for a device, individual chapters to print themselves, or study aids. The Flat World Knowledge business model
Business model
A business model describes the rationale of how an organization creates, delivers, and captures value...
presents a market-based solution to problems in the traditional college textbook
Textbook
A textbook or coursebook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study. Textbooks are produced according to the demands of educational institutions...
market where a few huge companies hold immense market power
Market power
In economics, market power is the ability of a firm to alter the market price of a good or service. In perfectly competitive markets, market participants have no market power. A firm with market power can raise prices without losing its customers to competitors...
and are resistant to change.
Consistent with the open content
Open content
Open content or OpenContent is a neologism coined by David Wiley in 1998 which describes a creative work that others can copy or modify. The term evokes open source, which is a related concept in software....
paradigm, academic freedom
Academic freedom
Academic freedom is the belief that the freedom of inquiry by students and faculty members is essential to the mission of the academy, and that scholars should have freedom to teach or communicate ideas or facts without being targeted for repression, job loss, or imprisonment.Academic freedom is a...
in this model rests entirely with educators; educators have complete control over textbook content. Market power
Market power
In economics, market power is the ability of a firm to alter the market price of a good or service. In perfectly competitive markets, market participants have no market power. A firm with market power can raise prices without losing its customers to competitors...
rests nearly exclusively with students because the basic price for textbook access is free; access to textbook resources is greatly expanded under the Flat World open-licensed model.
Educators may on occasion make paid self-study teaching supplements into required course materials. In that instance, the student loses a portion of their market power
Market power
In economics, market power is the ability of a firm to alter the market price of a good or service. In perfectly competitive markets, market participants have no market power. A firm with market power can raise prices without losing its customers to competitors...
yet retains choice
Choice
Choice consists of the mental process of judging the merits of multiple options and selecting one of them. While a choice can be made between imagined options , often a choice is made between real options, and followed by the corresponding action...
of format and price
Price
-Definition:In ordinary usage, price is the quantity of payment or compensation given by one party to another in return for goods or services.In modern economies, prices are generally expressed in units of some form of currency...
for the textbook
Textbook
A textbook or coursebook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study. Textbooks are produced according to the demands of educational institutions...
itself. Average savings for open-licensed textbook use are 80% or more when compared to traditional publishing models.
2007
Flat World Knowledge was founded in 2007 by Jeff Shelstad and Eric Frank in Nyack, New YorkNyack, New York
Nyack is a village in the towns of Orangetown and Clarkstown in Rockland County, New York, United States, located north of South Nyack; east of Central Nyack; south of Upper Nyack and west of the Hudson River, approximately 19 miles north of the Manhattan boundary, it is an inner suburb of New...
.
2008
Flat World Knowledge registered their trademark and went into alpha testing of their platform and business modelBusiness model
A business model describes the rationale of how an organization creates, delivers, and captures value...
spring of 2008. Two alpha phases involved faculty and one alpha phase involved students. The company then moved to small-scale private beta testing in 27 classes. Based on results from these studies, the business model
Business model
A business model describes the rationale of how an organization creates, delivers, and captures value...
was determined viable and the company moved toward preparing for a public beta launch in January 2009.
2009
During spring of 2009, 30 colleges adopted Flat World open textbooks in public beta bringing the company their first 1,000 users. Eight textbooks were published at the time. By August 2009, Flat World textbooks had been adopted at 400 colleges for use by 40,000 students.2010
Flat World Knowledge moved from Nyack, New YorkNyack, New York
Nyack is a village in the towns of Orangetown and Clarkstown in Rockland County, New York, United States, located north of South Nyack; east of Central Nyack; south of Upper Nyack and west of the Hudson River, approximately 19 miles north of the Manhattan boundary, it is an inner suburb of New...
to Irvington, New York
Irvington, New York
Irvington, sometimes known as Irvington-on-Hudson, is an affluent suburban village in the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, north of midtown Manhattan in New York City, and is served by a station stop on the...
to accommodate company growth. As of August 2010, the number of colleges and universities using Flat World open textbooks doubled to 800 higher education institutions. Student users more than tripled with 150,000 students using 24 published titles.
During fall semester 2010, 50 additional titles were announced as in the publication pipeline. 2010 also marked crossing the threshold of having 100 authors signed to write open textbooks for publication by Flat World Knowledge. The company plans to publish open textbooks for the 125 most enrolled in college courses by 2014. The company has expanded their catalog of published titles since August, increasing the number of general education courses they offer textbooks for. Flat World Knowledge expects to publish 40 of the 50 newly announced titles by Spring 2012.
Flat World Knowledge is in their second full academic year of operation and claims they will save 150,000 college students $12 million in textbook costs in the 2010-2011 school year after adoptions by more than 1,300 educators as of August 2010.
In December 2010, Outsell Inc. named Flat World Knowledge as one of “30 to Watch” for 2011 among innovators and disruptors who were selected for “shaking up their respective marketplaces.”
2011
Early in 2011, a Series B round of venture capital funding was completed successfully. Funding sources included significant venture capital firms and funding from the world's largest publisher of trade books, Random House.Flat World Knowledge reported adoptions at over 2,000 colleges and universities for use by over 300,000 students in August, 2011. Nine site licensing agreements were reported as of fall semester, including an expansion to 3,000 seats at Virginia State University
Virginia State University
Virginia State University is a historically black and land-grant university located north of the Appomattox River in Chesterfield, in the Richmond area. Founded on , Virginia State was the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for black Americans...
and an initial 1,000 seats at University System of Ohio
University System of Ohio
The University System of Ohio is the public university system of the state of Ohio. Legally unified under Governor Ted Strickland in 2007, the University System of Ohio is governed by the Ohio Board of Regents....
campuses. Virginia State University reported early positive impacts for course retention rates and academic performance in classes using the seat license model during the 2010-2011 academic year. The company reported forming a new division focused on marketing site license agreements.
The Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
system released a report summarizing two years of research studying e-text use in the university system. Studied were 22 courses with approximately 1,800 students. Evaluated was "how students chose to use their e-textbooks, how they felt about them, and what the impact they had on learning." Some students studied used titles from Flat World Knowledge which have been broadly available in the system since 2010. General study findings were:
- 87% of students abandoned paper and chose to read their books on a digital device (mostly laptops)
- Most students preferred e-texts to paper (60% average - Range: 84 - 36%)
- Highest preference was where instructors used the book; low approval ratings (36%) noted where instructors did not use the book for readings or assignments
- Preferences for e-textbooks increased 11% the second semester a student used an e-text
- Students ranked ability of instructors to annotate text as most important reason to select e-text - 84% found annotations helpful
- Improved sustainability of e-texts was the second most important reason to select the format
- Cost was the third most important reason
In September, 2011, Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
announced a system-wide agreement with Flat World Knowledge and three additional publishers making e-texts available at all campuses for the Spring 2012 semester. A site-license
Site license
A site license is a type of software license and a legal agreement that allows users to run the software package simultaneously. The name originally derives from the practice of restricting the use of a particular piece of software by physical site rather than by, for instance, the number of copies...
agreement similar to the model first implemented at Virginia State University
Virginia State University
Virginia State University is a historically black and land-grant university located north of the Appomattox River in Chesterfield, in the Richmond area. Founded on , Virginia State was the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for black Americans...
is being used.
Investments
Flat World Knowledge secured $11.5 million in investments through 2010, including an initial $700k angel investment.In January 2011, $15 million in Series B funding led by Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann AG is a multinational media corporation founded in 1835, based in Gütersloh, Germany. The company operates in 63 countries and employs 102,983 workers , which makes it the most international media corporation in the world. In 2008 the company reported a €16.118 billion consolidated...
Digital Media Investments (BDMI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann AG is a multinational media corporation founded in 1835, based in Gütersloh, Germany. The company operates in 63 countries and employs 102,983 workers , which makes it the most international media corporation in the world. In 2008 the company reported a €16.118 billion consolidated...
AG, and Bessemer Venture Partners
Bessemer Venture Partners
Bessemer Venture Partners is a private venture capital firm with offices in Silicon Valley, New York, Massachusetts, Israel, China, and India.Bessemer Venture Partners is the longest-standing venture capital practice in the United States...
was announced. Returning investors for Series B funding include Valhalla Partners
Valhalla Partners
Valhalla Partners, based in Vienna, Virginia, is a venture capital firm.The Valhalla team has invested in or served as senior executives in over 100 entrepreneurial companies. Valhalla currently manages approximately $440 million over two funds....
, GSA Venture Partners (formerly Greenhill SAVP), High Peaks Venture Partners and several angel investors.
Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
announced an investment in Flat World Knowledge in April, 2011. Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
is the world's largest publisher of commercial trade books. Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
chairman and CEO Markus Dohle states Flat World Knowledge is a “transformative company in higher-education publishing” and said, “We [at Random House] share a strong drive to make high-quality academically-oriented content widely available and affordable for students and educators, and we welcome the opportunity to invest in Flat World's growth." Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
publishes more than 10,000 new hardcovers, paperbacks, audio, and electronic books annually and sells over 400 million books per year.
The investment does not give Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
a role in the operations of Flat World Knowledge but does offer access to extensive expertise in electronic publishing
Electronic publishing
Electronic publishing or ePublishing includes the digital publication of e-books and electronic articles, and the development of digital libraries and catalogues. Electronic publishing has become common in scientific publishing where it has been argued that peer-reviewed scientific journals are in...
. Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
currently publishes more than 25,000 electronic titles in English, Spanish, and German.
Milestones
Flat World Knowledge publishes their books under a Creative CommonsCreative Commons
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization headquartered in Mountain View, California, United States devoted to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. The organization has released several copyright-licenses known as Creative Commons...
Non-Commercial Share-Alike license, making the company the first commercial publisher of open textbooks. Their titles include numerous foundation textbooks such as Exploring Business, Introduction to Psychology, and Principles of Management.
The company's business model has attracted authors who have published successful textbooks previously such as Caltech economics professor R. Preston McAfee
Preston McAfee
Preston McAfee is a Vice President and Research Fellow at Yahoo! Research where he leads the Microeconomics and Social Systems group. Prior to Yahoo!, he was the J. Stanley Johnson Professor of Business, Economics, and Management at the California Institute of Technology, where he was the...
, marketing author Michael R. Solomon, McGraw-Hill author Jeff Tanner, and economist Timothy Tregarthen. Robert E. Wright
Robert E. Wright
Robert E. Wright is a business, economic, financial, and monetary historian and the inaugural Rudy and Marilyn Nef Family Chair of Political Economy at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota...
is another of the company's more noted authors.
A unique approach to presenting learning material is represented in the graphic novel Atlas Black: Managing to Succeed
Atlas Black: Managing to Succeed
Atlas Black: Managing to Succeed is a graphic novel by Jeremy Short, Talya Bauer, and Dave Ketchen, about a fictional character named Atlas Black and his efforts to create a startup restaurant while completing his senior year of college. The series is illustrated by Len Simon...
, which is illustrated by Len Simon of Fat Cat Animation. Graphic novel textbooks are published as topical supplements for select Marketing and Management titles.
Partnerships
Cerritos CollegeCerritos College
Cerritos College is a public comprehensive community college founded in 1955 located in Norwalk, California. It was named after Rancho Los Cerritos, a ranch that served prominently in the region in the 19th century...
selected Flat World Knowledge as their partner for an Open Textbook Initiative implemented in the school's Business Administration Department. Cerritos College
Cerritos College
Cerritos College is a public comprehensive community college founded in 1955 located in Norwalk, California. It was named after Rancho Los Cerritos, a ranch that served prominently in the region in the 19th century...
evaluated the program and determined it a "tremendous success" according to a 2010 article published in Community College Week. Specific items evaluated and commented on are:
- Positive feedback from faculty and students on textbookTextbookA textbook or coursebook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study. Textbooks are produced according to the demands of educational institutions...
content, quality, and price - Course retention rate of 90.2% after implementation (+10.0% to +15.0%)
- No price barrier to course material access
- Accessible format availability
- Improved grade point average
Flat World Knowledge entered into a unique licensing agreement with Virginia State University
Virginia State University
Virginia State University is a historically black and land-grant university located north of the Appomattox River in Chesterfield, in the Richmond area. Founded on , Virginia State was the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for black Americans...
in 2010. For eight core business courses, students have access to all electronic formats of select textbooks including study aids. Unlike traditional licensing models, students will retain access to course materials and study aids indefinitely through their Flat World student account. Audio textbook versions and ePub
EPUB
EPUB is a free and open e-book standard by the International Digital Publishing Forum...
files similarly do not expire. The price for this universal digital access license is cited as $20 per student by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The Virginia State University
Virginia State University
Virginia State University is a historically black and land-grant university located north of the Appomattox River in Chesterfield, in the Richmond area. Founded on , Virginia State was the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for black Americans...
program is featured in the BizEd article "Digital at the Core." Virginia State University
Virginia State University
Virginia State University is a historically black and land-grant university located north of the Appomattox River in Chesterfield, in the Richmond area. Founded on , Virginia State was the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for black Americans...
is using the agreement as part of a university effort to "save money, save the environment, improve student retention, and prepare business graduates for the complex working world."
In March 2011, the University System of Ohio
University System of Ohio
The University System of Ohio is the public university system of the state of Ohio. Legally unified under Governor Ted Strickland in 2007, the University System of Ohio is governed by the Ohio Board of Regents....
announced the system will be providing 1,000 students free access to Flat World electronic format textbooks and study aids as part of a research project focused on student learning. Flat World Knowledge open textbooks are already in use at multiple system institutions. Research results from this program are intended to assist the system in driving textbook costs down and making college more affordable. These goals are part of the University System of Ohio
University System of Ohio
The University System of Ohio is the public university system of the state of Ohio. Legally unified under Governor Ted Strickland in 2007, the University System of Ohio is governed by the Ohio Board of Regents....
's 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education. A site-licensing agreement with the university system will facilitate student access to the full breadth of course materials available for titles selected for the program.
A partnership with Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
using the e-text platform Courseload was announced in September, 2011. Instructors will be able to voluntarily select any Flat World Knowledge title for courses beginning in January, 2012 under terms of the new agreement. Students will have access to all electronic formats and study aids under the volume licensing agreement at a fixed cost per course of $19.95.
International
A Canadian representation agreement was announced in March 2011 with Northrose Associates of Whitby, OntarioWhitby, Ontario
Whitby is a town in Durham Region. Whitby is located in Southern Ontario east of Toronto on the north shore of Lake Ontario, and is home to the headquarters of Durham Region...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The Canadian higher education system faces challenges similar to U.S. higher education providers from the ever escalating costs of traditional college textbooks. Open textbooks from Flat World Knowledge will be actively marketed by the firm to educators and higher education administrators across Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
In addition to use in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, worldwide learners are accessing Flat World Knowledge textbooks regularly. Adoptions have been reported in 44 countries. The company actively promotes use of their free and open textbook
Open textbook
An open textbook is an openly-licensed textbook offered online by its author or through a non-profit or commercial open-licensed publisher. The open license sets open textbooks apart from traditional textbooks by allowing users to read online, download, or sometimes print the book at no additional...
delivery platform to advance education internationally. The most frequent international access originates in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, Malaysia, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. International usage is growing rapidly. In March 2011 alone traffic increased enough in four countries to be added to the cited Alexa Internet
Alexa Internet
Alexa Internet, Inc. is a California-based subsidiary company of Amazon.com that is known for its toolbar and Web site. Once installed, the toolbar collects data on browsing behavior which is transmitted to the Web site where it is stored and analyzed and is the basis for the company's Web traffic...
traffic ranking report. The "Make it Your Own" (MIYO) feature of the company's publishing platform allows for customization and annotation of published titles in English and other languages.
Recognition
The company was featured in Chris AndersonChris Anderson
Chris Anderson may refer to:* Chris Anderson , founder of Future Publishing and curator of the TED Conference* Chris Anderson , author, journalist, editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine, popularized "The Long Tail"* Chris Anderson , football player, educator, former Vice-Chairman of Aberdeen F.C.*...
's Free: The Future of a Radical Price
Free: The Future of a Radical Price
Free: The Future of a Radical Price is a 2009 book written by Chris Anderson, Editor in chief of Wired magazine. He is also the author of The Long Tail, published in 2006. Free follows a thread from the previous work...
in 2008.
In 2009, bNet
BNET
BNET was an online magazine dedicated to issues of business management.It was owned by CBS Interactive and was a part of its business portfolio alongside ZDNet, TechRepublic, SmartPlanet before it was folded into CBS MoneyWatch, a sister personal finance site that was launched on April 6, 2009.BNET...
recognized Flat World Knowledge as an industry innovator for introducing an abundance-based disruptive business model to the college textbook industry. That same year, Flat World Knowledge and Bookshare
Bookshare
Bookshare is an online accessible digital library for print disabled readers. In 2007, it received an award of $32 million from the US Government's Office of Special Education Programs to make the service available for free to all print disabled students in the US...
were jointly recognized as publishing industry innovators of 2009.
Flat World Knowledge was identified in a 2010 report by Nicole Allen
Nicole Allen
Nicole Allen is the Textbooks Advocate for The Student PIRGs and Campaign Director for Make Textbooks Affordable. She is best known for organizing over 2,000 professors to support the open textbooks and for authoring a report that challenges the publishing industry's digital textbook practices...
of The Student PIRGs A Cover to Cover Solution: How Open Textbooks are the Path to Textbook Affordability and the New Media Consortium
New Media Consortium
The New Media Consortium is an international 5013 not-for-profit consortium of more than 250 colleges, universities, museums, corporations, and other learning-focused organizations dedicated to the exploration and use of new media and new technologies.NMC member institutions are found in almost...
's 2010 Horizon Report as a contributor to the rapidly progressing adoption of open content
Open content
Open content or OpenContent is a neologism coined by David Wiley in 1998 which describes a creative work that others can copy or modify. The term evokes open source, which is a related concept in software....
in higher education.
In December 2010, the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
’s Business Reference Sources Committee of RUSA’s Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) selected Flat World Knowledge's Business and Economics open textbooks for their 2010 list of "outstanding business reference sources." Specific criteria used by the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
BRASS when evaluating texts for selection were:
"A resource compiled specifically to supply information on a certain subject or group of subjects in a form that will facilitate its ease of use. The works are examined for authority and reputation of the publisher, author, or editor; accuracy; appropriate bibliography; organization, comprehensiveness, and value of the content; currency and unique addition to the field; ease of use for intended purpose; quality and accuracy of indexing; and quality and usefulness of graphics and illustrations. Each year more electronic reference titles are published, and additional criteria by which these resources are evaluated include search features, stability of content, graphic design quality, and accuracy of links. Works selected are intended to be suitable for medium to large academic and public libraries."
The Flat World Knowledge open textbook
Open textbook
An open textbook is an openly-licensed textbook offered online by its author or through a non-profit or commercial open-licensed publisher. The open license sets open textbooks apart from traditional textbooks by allowing users to read online, download, or sometimes print the book at no additional...
Organizational Behavior by Talya Bauer and Berrin Erdogan was recognized by the Text and Academic Author's Association with a Textbook Excellence Award ("Texty")
Textbook Excellence Award ("Texty")
A Textbook Excellence Award from the Text and Academic Authors Association recognizes current textbooks and learning materials based on criteria established by the group. Judges are veteran authors in appropriate subject areas. Nominations from eight subject areas are reviewed each year from...
in March 2011. "This is the first time that an open textbook
Open textbook
An open textbook is an openly-licensed textbook offered online by its author or through a non-profit or commercial open-licensed publisher. The open license sets open textbooks apart from traditional textbooks by allowing users to read online, download, or sometimes print the book at no additional...
has won a Texty," notes Richard Hull, TAA’s executive director, "and signals the emergence of a new publishing model." Winners are determined by a panel of veteran academic authors. The award seeks to "recognize works for their excellence in the areas of content, presentation, appeal, and teachability."
Accessibility
Flat World Knowledge textbooks are developed for accessible publishingAccessible publishing
Accessible publishing is an approach to publishing and reading whereby books and other texts aren't only available in one standard format. Other formats that have been developed to aid different people to read include varieties of larger fonts, specialised fonts for certain kinds of reading...
natively to facilitate compliance with expectations placed on educators for assuring student accessibility
Accessibility
Accessibility is a general term used to describe the degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is available to as many people as possible. Accessibility can be viewed as the "ability to access" and benefit from some system or entity...
to course materials set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush, and later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009....
(ADA). For students with text, vision, vision and hearing, or physical disabilities, Flat World Knowledge has partnered with Bookshare
Bookshare
Bookshare is an online accessible digital library for print disabled readers. In 2007, it received an award of $32 million from the US Government's Office of Special Education Programs to make the service available for free to all print disabled students in the US...
to provide no-charge accessible digital books including an electronic Braille
Braille
The Braille system is a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write, and was the first digital form of writing.Braille was devised in 1825 by Louis Braille, a blind Frenchman. Each Braille character, or cell, is made up of six dot positions, arranged in a rectangle containing two...
format. Bookshare
Bookshare
Bookshare is an online accessible digital library for print disabled readers. In 2007, it received an award of $32 million from the US Government's Office of Special Education Programs to make the service available for free to all print disabled students in the US...
members with qualifying disabilities have immediate access to course and reference materials online as opposed to having to request materials direct from the publisher by mail or through another intermediary. According to Jim Fruchterman
Jim Fruchterman
Jim Fruchterman is a leading social entrepreneur. He is a former rocket scientist and technology entrepreneur who creates social technology enterprises that target under-served communities....
, CEO of Benetech
Benetech
Benetech was founded in 1989 by high technology entrepreneur Jim Fruchterman in Palo Alto, California. Benetech is a not-for-profit social enterprise organization: it creates technology social ventures, such as Bookshare , the Route 66 Literacy Project, the Miradi environmental project management...
, the non-profit organization that operates Bookshare
Bookshare
Bookshare is an online accessible digital library for print disabled readers. In 2007, it received an award of $32 million from the US Government's Office of Special Education Programs to make the service available for free to all print disabled students in the US...
, "Without the cooperation of a publisher such as Flat World, students often wait for weeks to get textbooks in accessible formats and, in some cases, are forced to drop courses due to lack of accessible books. Flat World is the first postsecondary textbook publisher to recognize and alleviate this problem."
Price disclosure and edition availability
Flat World Knowledge claims to make compliance with the recent Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) simple as the basic price for their textbooks is free and once published, any edition number remains available online at no charge or available for order in print by students, educators, and bookstores on-demand; educators change versions only when they wish and book versions are never "out of print."Sustainability
Digital textbook and course material formats offer sustainabilitySustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
advantages over traditional paper textbooks. According to a publishing industry study, an estimated "net [carbon] emission of 8.85 pounds per book [is created for each paper book] sold to consumers." The net carbon emission for textbooks is much higher as the industry average includes high volume small paperbacks, children's books, and many other small form factors popular with consumers.
In 2010-2011, approximately 57.5% of students using Flat World texts opted for entirely digital delivery. As of fall 2011, 70% of students opt for digital formats, significantly reducing the ecologic footprint from textbook use when compared to the historic paper textbook format. Demand for free internet, ePub
EPUB
EPUB is a free and open e-book standard by the International Digital Publishing Forum...
, .MOBI (Kindle
Amazon Kindle
The Amazon Kindle is an e-book reader developed by Amazon.com subsidiary Lab126 which uses wireless connectivity to enable users to shop for, download, browse, and read e-books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other digital media...
), and PDF format books and materials is growing rapidly. Flat World Knowledge is "far ahead of the industry curve" for digital format use.
For the approximately 30% of students who choose a print version over a digital one, Flat World Knowledge uses just-in-time centralized and local print on demand
Print on demand
Print on demand , sometimes called, in error, publish on demand, is a printing technology and business process in which new copies of a book are not printed until an order has been received...
in their business model
Business model
A business model describes the rationale of how an organization creates, delivers, and captures value...
.
Local print on demand
Print on demand
Print on demand , sometimes called, in error, publish on demand, is a printing technology and business process in which new copies of a book are not printed until an order has been received...
of licensed content offers environmental benefits by saving the need to produce, store, and ship books from a central location - saving energy, natural resources, and cost. Eliminating the need for shipping alone eliminates at least 12.7% of the carbon footprint for paper books.
Flat World Knowledge offers local booksellers the opportunity to license open textbook
Open textbook
An open textbook is an openly-licensed textbook offered online by its author or through a non-profit or commercial open-licensed publisher. The open license sets open textbooks apart from traditional textbooks by allowing users to read online, download, or sometimes print the book at no additional...
content for on-demand printing by the Espresso Book Machine
Espresso Book Machine
The Espresso Book Machine is a print on demand machine that prints, collates, covers, and binds a single book in a few minutes.The EBM is small enough to fit in a retail book store or small library room, and as such it is targeted at retail and library markets. The EBM can potentially allow...
and similar equipment, removing the need for shipping and warehouse inventory, bulk receiving, and stocking shelves. Local print on demand
Print on demand
Print on demand , sometimes called, in error, publish on demand, is a printing technology and business process in which new copies of a book are not printed until an order has been received...
is an emerging trend that will help reduce environmental and financial costs of textbooks as the technology is adopted to serve educators and learners who desire print format books.
Some students use accessible and audio formats. Though Braille embosser
Braille embosser
A Braille embosser is a printer, necessarily an impact printer, that renders text as tactile Braille cells. Using Braille translation software, a document can be embossed with relative ease, making Braille production much more efficient and cost-effective....
s print on paper, it is essential to provide access to educational materials in the format of choice to students regardless of disability. The same electronic file that is provided for a Braille embosser
Braille embosser
A Braille embosser is a printer, necessarily an impact printer, that renders text as tactile Braille cells. Using Braille translation software, a document can be embossed with relative ease, making Braille production much more efficient and cost-effective....
by Bookshare
Bookshare
Bookshare is an online accessible digital library for print disabled readers. In 2007, it received an award of $32 million from the US Government's Office of Special Education Programs to make the service available for free to all print disabled students in the US...
for Flat World Knowledge open textbooks is also compatible with many refreshable Braille display
Refreshable Braille display
A refreshable Braille display or Braille terminal is an electro-mechanical device for displaying Braille characters, usually by means of raising dots through holes in a flat surface. Blind computer users, who cannot use a normal computer monitor, use it to read text output...
s.
Other accessible and audio mp3 formats are very sustainable as they are electronic.
Free
Flat World open textbooks are available for free through the Flat World Knowledge website in two formats. One reading format allows users to take notes as they read the book, saving them into their own personal account. The note-taking feature is only available for users who have created an account though any internet user can read the books at anytime.The no-charge Scribd
Scribd
Scribd is a Web 2.0 based document-sharing website which allows users to post documents of various formats, and embed them into a web page using its iPaper format. Scribd was founded by Trip Adler, Tikhon Bernstam, and Jared Friedman in 2006...
PDF reading format does not allow note taking but does allow full-screen viewing. The free Scribd
Scribd
Scribd is a Web 2.0 based document-sharing website which allows users to post documents of various formats, and embed them into a web page using its iPaper format. Scribd was founded by Trip Adler, Tikhon Bernstam, and Jared Friedman in 2006...
PDF reading mode is most comparable to reading from a print copy. Page numbers for citations and term definitions contained in margin notes are included in the PDF view.
Any user with access to the Internet is able to use either free reading service. Users can switch back and forth between free reading formats with a single click.
Accessible formats of published works for people with qualifying disabilities are available at no charge through Bookshare
Bookshare
Bookshare is an online accessible digital library for print disabled readers. In 2007, it received an award of $32 million from the US Government's Office of Special Education Programs to make the service available for free to all print disabled students in the US...
.
Paid
Reasonably priced additional formats including print, individual PDF chapters, ePubEPUB
EPUB is a free and open e-book standard by the International Digital Publishing Forum...
, .MOBI (Kindle
Amazon Kindle
The Amazon Kindle is an e-book reader developed by Amazon.com subsidiary Lab126 which uses wireless connectivity to enable users to shop for, download, browse, and read e-books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other digital media...
), audio mp3, abridged audio study mp3, and optional study tools are available for purchase by students direct, through bookstores, and via select online providers. No use of a paid format is required to access Flat World textbooks. ePub
EPUB
EPUB is a free and open e-book standard by the International Digital Publishing Forum...
and .MOBI (Kindle
Amazon Kindle
The Amazon Kindle is an e-book reader developed by Amazon.com subsidiary Lab126 which uses wireless connectivity to enable users to shop for, download, browse, and read e-books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other digital media...
) formats allow users to access the full functionality of their preferred portable reading device for approximately $25 when purchased direct from Flat World Knowledge.
Derivative works
Derivative works created through the Flat World publishing engine are available online at no charge in the two formats described earlier or for purchase in print format direct or through bookstores by ISBN. An ISBN is generated for all derivative work publications developed through the Flat World Knowledge publishing engine as is a Creative CommonsCreative Commons
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization headquartered in Mountain View, California, United States devoted to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. The organization has released several copyright-licenses known as Creative Commons...
license compatible with the original work. Accessible derivative work versions of Flat World Knowledge titles are made available for students with disabilities through Bookshare
Bookshare
Bookshare is an online accessible digital library for print disabled readers. In 2007, it received an award of $32 million from the US Government's Office of Special Education Programs to make the service available for free to all print disabled students in the US...
upon request.
Compatible devices
The company produces textbooks in a device-agnostic manner to facilitate use of electronic publication formats on all major platforms including iPadIPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
, iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
, Kindle
Amazon Kindle
The Amazon Kindle is an e-book reader developed by Amazon.com subsidiary Lab126 which uses wireless connectivity to enable users to shop for, download, browse, and read e-books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other digital media...
, Nook
Nook
Nook may refer to a small corner formed by two walls.Nook may also refer to:*A slang name for a person reading; also known as a "book nook"*"Nook", a science-fiction TV series Lexx episode...
, EnTourage eDGe
EnTourage eDGe
The enTourage eDGe was a combined tablet computer and e-book made by enTourage Systems Inc., a small company in McLean, Virginia. It is advertised as "the world's first dualbook". The device runs Google's Android platform, version 1.6 'Donut'. Due to lack of sales, all enTourage eDGe products...
, Kno
Kno
Kno, Inc. is a software company in Silicon Valley that sells into the education market. The company is working with major academic publishers including McGraw-Hill, John Wiley & Sons, Pearson, and Cengage Learning to make their textbooks available to Kno users.- History:Kno was founded in May of...
, Sony Reader
Sony Reader
The Sony Reader is a line of e-book readers manufactured by Sony. It uses an electronic paper display developed by E Ink Corporation, is viewable in direct sunlight, requires no power to maintain a static image, and is usable in portrait or landscape orientation.Sony sells e-books for the Reader...
, and Android (operating system) devices.
No internet browser preference is stated for general access to free online reading over the Internet. Flat World Knowledge textbooks can be viewed on all major browsers and platforms. The Safari browser on an iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
, iPod Touch
IPod Touch
The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line...
or iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
allows access to Flat World texts with no additional application required according to company information.
MathML
For the free web version of the Flat World Knowledge title Elementary Algebra, some MathMLMathML
Mathematical Markup Language is an application of XML for describing mathematical notations and capturing both its structure and content. It aims at integrating mathematical formulae into World Wide Web pages and other documents...
is used in the web page markup language
Markup language
A markup language is a modern system for annotating a text in a way that is syntactically distinguishable from that text. The idea and terminology evolved from the "marking up" of manuscripts, i.e. the revision instructions by editors, traditionally written with a blue pencil on authors' manuscripts...
. MathJax
Mathjax
MathJax is a cross-browser JavaScript library that displays mathematical equations in web browsers, using LaTeX math and MathML markup. MathJax is released as open-source software under the Apache license....
is used to improve compatibility.
Current versions of Gecko (layout engine)
Gecko (layout engine)
Gecko is a free and open source layout engine used in many applications developed by Mozilla Foundation and the Mozilla Corporation , as well as in many other open source software projects....
browsers such as Firefox and Camino
Camino
Camino is a free, open source, GUI-based Web browser based on Mozilla's Gecko layout engine and specifically designed for the Mac OS X operating system...
, WebKit
WebKit
WebKit is a layout engine designed to allow web browsers to render web pages. WebKit powers Google Chrome and Apple Safari and by October 2011 held over 33% of the browser market share between them. It is also used as the basis for the experimental browser included with the Amazon Kindle ebook...
browsers Chrome
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a web browser developed by Google that uses the WebKit layout engine. It was first released as a beta version for Microsoft Windows on September 2, 2008, and the public stable release was on December 11, 2008. The name is derived from the graphical user interface frame, or...
and Safari
Safari
A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa. Traditionally, the term is used for a big-game hunt, but today the term often refers to a trip taken not for the purposes of hunting, but to observe and photograph animals and other wildlife.-Etymology:Entering the English...
, and Opera (web browser)
Opera (web browser)
Opera is a web browser and Internet suite developed by Opera Software with over 200 million users worldwide. The browser handles common Internet-related tasks such as displaying web sites, sending and receiving e-mail messages, managing contacts, chatting on IRC, downloading files via BitTorrent,...
support display of MathML
MathML
Mathematical Markup Language is an application of XML for describing mathematical notations and capturing both its structure and content. It aims at integrating mathematical formulae into World Wide Web pages and other documents...
natively.
Internet Explorer 9
Internet Explorer 9
Windows Internet Explorer 9 is the current version of the Internet Explorer web browser from Microsoft. It was released to the public on March 14, 2011 at 21:00 PDT. Internet Explorer 9 supports several CSS 3 properties, embedded ICC v2 or v4 color profiles support via Windows Color System, and...
released March 2011 displays MathML
MathML
Mathematical Markup Language is an application of XML for describing mathematical notations and capturing both its structure and content. It aims at integrating mathematical formulae into World Wide Web pages and other documents...
. Older versions of Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer
Windows Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting in 1995. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year...
may require installation of the MathPlayer
MathPlayer
MathPlayer is a program by Design Science that enables the display of MathML mathematical formulae in Internet Explorer. MathML is a 1998 recommendation of the W3C for displaying formulae on the World Wide Web...
plugin for proper display and accessible access for users who rely on screen reader
Screen reader
A screen reader is a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen . This interpretation is then re-presented to the user with text-to-speech, sound icons, or a Braille output device...
software.
The free Scribd
Scribd
Scribd is a Web 2.0 based document-sharing website which allows users to post documents of various formats, and embed them into a web page using its iPaper format. Scribd was founded by Trip Adler, Tikhon Bernstam, and Jared Friedman in 2006...
PDF option for internet delivery properly displays in all major browsers.
Content management systems
Flat World Knowledge textbook content can be integrated directly into a learning management systemLearning management system
A learning management system is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training programs, classroom and online events, e-learning programs, and training content...
such as Blackboard Learning System
Blackboard Learning System
The Blackboard Learning System is a virtual learning environment and course management system developed by Blackboard Inc. Features include course management, a customizable open architecture, and a scalable design that allows for integration with student information systems and authentication...
, ANGEL, Moodle
Moodle
Moodle is a free source e-learning software platform, also known as a Course Management System, Learning Management System, or Virtual Learning Environment...
, WebCT
WebCT
WebCT or Blackboard Learning System, now owned by Blackboard, is an online proprietary virtual learning environment system that is sold to colleges and other institutions and used in many campuses for e-learning...
,or Desire2Learn
Desire2Learn
Desire2Learn Incorporated is a provider of enterprise eLearning solutions and develops online Learning Management Systems used at more than 450 institutions around the world...
. Direct linking is available to Flat World textbooks, sections, and individual pages so other means of accumulating content in containers for group access to course learning materials are also supported. This addresses a controversy over time limitations placed on access to course content held by academic period based learning management systems.
Flat World Knowledge provides instructor resources including test banks and lecture slides to registered and verified educators at no charge. Instructor testing and quiz materials are suitable for import into learning management system
Learning management system
A learning management system is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training programs, classroom and online events, e-learning programs, and training content...
s. Specifically cited formats include Blackboard Learning System
Blackboard Learning System
The Blackboard Learning System is a virtual learning environment and course management system developed by Blackboard Inc. Features include course management, a customizable open architecture, and a scalable design that allows for integration with student information systems and authentication...
, ANGEL, Moodle
Moodle
Moodle is a free source e-learning software platform, also known as a Course Management System, Learning Management System, or Virtual Learning Environment...
, and WebCT
WebCT
WebCT or Blackboard Learning System, now owned by Blackboard, is an online proprietary virtual learning environment system that is sold to colleges and other institutions and used in many campuses for e-learning...
plus a Respondus Neutral Personality file suitable for import to compatible systems. Compatible systems cited by Respondus include those previously listed plus Desire2Learn
Desire2Learn
Desire2Learn Incorporated is a provider of enterprise eLearning solutions and develops online Learning Management Systems used at more than 450 institutions around the world...
and eCollege
ECollege
eCollege is an on-demand, or Software as a Service , provider of eLearning software and services to secondary and post-secondary learning institutions. Founded in 1996 as Real Education, the company went public in 2002 as eCollege.com...
.
Online homework and assessment
Flat World Knowledge provides an online homework and assessment product called FLYX for select textbook titles. Homework and assessment tools are integrated into educator accounts and may be customized. Students see content as assigned by an educator. These homework and assessment tools are customized and developed for Flat World Knowledge textbooks to help students engage with and learn course concepts interactively. For independent learners, full access to homework and assessment tools is available.FLYX content is developed by Lyryx Learning Inc
Lyryx Learning Inc
Lyryx Learning Inc. is a privately-held educational software company founded in 2000 at the University of Calgary, in the province of Alberta. Lyryx develops online learning and homework solutions for the higher education market...
. under a content-specific license agreement with Flat World Knowledge. FLYX is a paid supplement option but purchase is not required to access the associated textbook title.
Non-commercial use
Usage permissions granted automatically under the Creative CommonsCreative Commons
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization headquartered in Mountain View, California, United States devoted to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. The organization has released several copyright-licenses known as Creative Commons...
license assigned to Flat World textbooks lets users remix, annotate, and build upon the publication non-commercially as long as users give credit to the original author(s) and license their new creations under identical (share-alike
Share-alike
Share-Alike is a descriptive term used in the Creative Commons project for copyright licenses which include certain copyleft provisions. The Share-Alike license comes in two varieties, CC-BY-SA and CC-BY-NC-SA.-Share-alike license types:...
) terms. Translation
Translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
s are also automatically permissible under these licenses, either complete or as embedded content within the English or other language text. Educators are allowed to edit, add their own content, or insert annotations in a self-service manner using the Flat World Knowledge publishing engine available over the Internet.
Commercial use
Commercial use of published works requires an arrangement with the company and respective authors. Authors and the company are entitled to royalties from commercial use "in any manner that is primarily intended for or directed toward commercial advantage or private monetary compensation" according to license terms.External links
- Flat World Knowledge Official website.
- Flat World Knowledge Company "In the News" website.
- Flat World Knowledge Learn About the Higher Education Opportunity Act (Video).
- FLYX Online Learning and Assessment tool for Financial Accounting.
- FLYX Online Learning and Assessment tool for Principles of Economics.
- "Online Textbooks Deliver Timely, Real-world Content" by Kim Seidel. EDUCAUSE Review. January/February 2009.
- Digital Textbook Sales in U.S. Higher Education — A Five-Year Projection by Rob Reynolds. ("Factors within the Publishing and Education Markets Affecting the Sales of Digital Textbooks" section and trend charts) Explana. 2010.
- "A Cover to Cover Solution: How Open Textbooks are the Path to Textbook Affordability." Original research report by Nicole Allen of The Student PIRGs.
- Creative Commons Talks With Student PIRGs’ Nicole Allen: "Open Education and Policy." October 14, 2010.
- Pressitt: Flat World Knowledge President Eric Frank Addresses NYC Council on How to Make College Textbooks More Affordable. December 2, 2010.
- Mozilla Drumbeat: Hacking Open Textbooks. Mozilla Drumbeat Q&A with Brad Felix, Chief Learning Officer, Flat World Knowledge. (Post by Phil Sturgeon) October 20, 2010.
- "Get Rid of Print and Go Digital" by Anya Kamenetz in the New York Times. August 16, 2010.
- "Shining a Light on Textbook Affordability: Emerging Solutions in Ohio" The University System of OhioUniversity System of OhioThe University System of Ohio is the public university system of the state of Ohio. Legally unified under Governor Ted Strickland in 2007, the University System of Ohio is governed by the Ohio Board of Regents....
has been a national leader in supporting innovations that help eliminate textbook costs as a financial barrier to college. Listen to Darlene McCoy, Associate Vice Chancellor, Division of Affordability and Efficiency, the University System of OhioUniversity System of OhioThe University System of Ohio is the public university system of the state of Ohio. Legally unified under Governor Ted Strickland in 2007, the University System of Ohio is governed by the Ohio Board of Regents....
; Steve Acker, Research Director, eTextOhio Project; and Eric Frank, President and Co-Founder, Flat World Knowledge, for a one-hour webcast to discuss solutions and innovations for Ohio. Originally recorded 2010. - "How to Drive College Costs Down and Quality Up in TX and CA: Emerging Textbook Solutions" California and Texas are poised to be national leaders in efforts to reduce barriers to higher education and combat escalating textbook prices. Join CA Senate Majority Leader Dean FlorezDean FlorezDean Raymond Florez was a California State Senator from the 16th Senate District from 2002 until the end of his second term in November of 2010.Florez was born and reared in the Central Valley....
; Dr. Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Houston Community College SystemHouston Community College SystemHouston Community College System is a community college system that operates community colleges in Houston, Missouri City, and Stafford in Texas....
; Eric Frank, President, Flat World Knowledge; and Dennis Passovoy of The University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
for this webcast on new textbook affordability initiatives and the rise of open textbooks. One-hour webcast. Originally recorded 2010. - "Open Textbooks: Bringing Innovation to Business Programs" Open textbooks are gaining momentum. But what exactly is an open textbook? How do new, disruptive business models harness technology and drive innovation at schools like Virginia State UniversityVirginia State UniversityVirginia State University is a historically black and land-grant university located north of the Appomattox River in Chesterfield, in the Richmond area. Founded on , Virginia State was the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for black Americans...
and Boston CollegeBoston CollegeBoston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
? And what does this mean for you—how can you leverage open textbooks to increase innovation and lower costs for your course, department and/or school? Watch this one-hour webcast to learn more. This webcast includes commentary by Virginia State UniversityVirginia State UniversityVirginia State University is a historically black and land-grant university located north of the Appomattox River in Chesterfield, in the Richmond area. Founded on , Virginia State was the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for black Americans...
professor, Andrew Feldstein, and Boston CollegeBoston CollegeBoston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
professor and Flat World Author, John Gallaugher. Originally recorded 2010.