As much people still love their textbooks, there are inherent problems. They're expensive. They're heavy. And oftentimes, they're woefully out-of-date. The latter is particularly true when it comes to science books -- by the time a textbook hits store shelves (and appears in syllabi), new research outdates the text. Such is the changing nature of science. And such is the fixed nature of the printed textbook.
Nature Education, the educational wing of the Nature Publishing Group which also runs Scitable, one of the largest science publishers in the world - is hoping to resolve this with the release its first ever science textbook.
It's called the Principles of Biology, and for a $49 lifetime access, students receive a constantly-updated biology textbook, for less cost.
The textbook is a result of a partnership between California State University and the Nature Publishing Group, who'll be working together to create what they're calling a "born digital" textbook that will be used at CSU campuses beginning in the Fall of 2011.
As a digital product, Principles of Biology will be accessible to students and instructors via the Web -- both on desktops and on mobile devices. Those who buy the license will also be able to print a color copy of the textbook.