The world's largest education publisher, Pearson, has said it will gradually phase printed textbooks. It has taken a decision to make all its learning resources "digital first". Pearson said the future the industry is in e-books and digital services. Pearson CEO John Fallon explained more the company's future direction. He told the BBC: "We are now the digital tipping point. Over half our annual revenues come digital sales, so we've decided, a little bit like other industries like newspapers or music or broadcast, that it is time to flick the switch how we primarily make and create our products." He added: "I am increasingly confident and excited about this."
Pearson said a huge advantage digital books is that they can be continually updated, which means teachers will always have access to the latest versions textbooks. Mr Fallon said Pearson would stop its current business model revising printed course books three years. He said this model has dominated the industry over four decades and is now past its use- date. Fallon said: "We learn engaging and sharing others, and a digital environment enables you to do that a much more effective way." He added the digital books will appeal to the "Netflix and Spotify generation". Textbook writers are worried they will earn less their books as digital products are sold a subscription basis.
