Digital Textbooks in the Classroom Conference Announced

Soaring prices and digital technologies pressure adoption of alternatives to print

New York, NY (February 28, 2005) --­ Will digital textbooks replace print? Do eBooks offer improvements in learning?  These questions and presentations on the advantages of using digital media to deliver educational content will be center stage at the eBooks in Education Conference, Thursday, April 14th, 2005 at the McGraw-Hill Auditorium in midtown Manhattan.

The Open eBook Forum (OeBF) is sponsoring this one-day event to present the latest developments in digital reading technologies, case studies on eBooks in the classroom, new business models for online curriculum, and legislative initiatives for digital textbooks.  Presenters include educators, and representatives from textbook publishers, software companies, and online learning companies.

“Digital textbooks can cut costs, improve access to information, and provide direct links to online materials,” stated Steve Potash, President of the Open eBook Forum.  “eBooks are saving students and schools money and already providing excellent solutions for K-12, higher education, and distance learning markets,” he added.

Confirmed presenters include senior representatives from the Department of Education, WebCT, Kent Displays, Connections Academy, Boston College, E Ink Corporation, OverDrive Inc., Virtual High School, University of Phoenix, MBS Direct, Inc., Daisy Consortium, Thomson Learning Labs, Vital Source Technologies, Tumblebooks, McGraw-Hill Higher Education and many others.

Space is limited and registration for the event can be completed online at www.openebook.org/education.  An early registration special is good through March 9th. 

In addition to the presentations and panels in the auditorium the conference will feature digital book exhibitors and sponsors.  The McGraw-Hill Auditorium is located at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Floor, New York City.  Further details about the conference including agenda, confirmed speakers, registration and exhibit opportunities can be found on the conference website at www.openebook.org/education.

About the Open eBook Forum:

The eBooks in Education Conference is presented by the Open eBook Forum, the international trade and standards organization for the electronic publishing industry.  For more information, please contact Nick Bogaty, Executive Director, 212-924-9081. The organization is supported by membership dues and the generous support of Adobe Systems, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, OverDrive, Inc. and eReader.com. 

An OeBF member list and membership information can be found on the OeBF Web site at www.openebook.org.