DIGITAL COURSEPACK PILOT PROJECTNovember 3, 2006

THE BACKGROUND

• In November 2005, Access Copyright defined four goals for a digital coursepack pilot project:

• To offer print coursepacks in a convenient digital format.• To receive feedback from participating schools about the effectiveness

of digital coursepacks and the features of the VitalSource software.• To see if there is a demand for digital coursepacks.• To use the project findings for future digital service offerings to our

licensees.

THE PLAYERS

• VitalSource Technologies: Generated and managed the redemption codes for digital coursepacks.

• International Composition Corporation: Provided data-conversion services for Access Copyright’s digital coursepacks.

• The Schools: All four are based in Ontario:• McMaster University (Hamilton); York University (Toronto); Royal

Military College (Kingston); University of Ottawa (Ottawa).

THE PLAYERS (cont’d)

• The Courses: Digital coursepacks were prepared for five courses:• McMaster Economics – 60 students; Sociology – 29 students.• York University: English – 150 students.• Royal Military College: Ethics – 20 students.• University of Ottawa: Law – 155 students – in French.

LAUNCHING THE PROJECT

• March 2, 2006: Access Copyright’s Board of Directors approves a digital coursepack pilot project.

• March 17, 2006: Access Copyright signs letter of agreement with VitalSource.

• March 24, 2006: “Think Digital” marketing tool created.

• April 12, 2006: The four schools are confirmed as participants in the project.

• May 16, 2006: Access Copyright signs letter of agreement with ICC.

LAUNCHING THE PROJECT (cont’d)

• May-June 2006: Participating schools advertise digital coursepack project to faculty members.

• June 9, 2006: Shelf Talker and Full Page Advertising piece available.

• June 19, 2006: VitalSource P2 Software training at Access Copyright.

• July 6, 2006: Redemption code and disclaimer template created; End User Licence Agreement posted to website.

THE STARTING POINT

THE DATA CONVERSION PROCESS

• Hard copy sent to ICC or image PDF files uploaded to FTP site (depending on the course).

• ICC converted the files to .vbk format.

• .vbk file sent to VitalSource.

• Access Copyright uses P2 software to create redemption codes.

• Redemption codes ordered and sent to participating schools.

THE END PRODUCT

CURRENT CHALLENGES

• Timeframe:• Tight timeframe to advertise opportunity to faculty.

• Conversion Process:• More difficult and time consuming than initially thought.• 20 business days to convert from hard copy to .vbk format (estimated five

days).• 20 business days to convert from .pdf to .vbk format (estimated 72 hours).

• Customer Service:• Infrequent updates from ICC regarding conversion process.

• Personnel Turnover:• Key contacts at McMaster, York and University of Ottawa changed during

pilot project.

FOLLOWING-UP

• Survey posted on SurveyMonkey for students using digital coursepacks to provide feedback.

• Researching other text-conversion companies to see if turnaround time on data conversion can be improved.

• Run another digital coursepack pilot project in fall 2007 to permit more time to alert faculty about the project through presentations, meetings, etc.