Pearson Company

Despite the popular [mis]conception that digital textbooks haven't taken off, the educational ecosystem-particularly in higher ed-is where some of the most active digital developments are happening. Most college textbooks have associated online resources and are often available as ebooks or online.

If only we had an oracle to tell us which books would most appeal to readers. If only we had a crystal ball to guide us in which new technology to invest.

Paul Belfanti of Pearson, is helping to lead the charge to bring greater adoption of open standards to the education publishing industry.

In 2012, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) filed for bankruptcy protection. In July of this year, Cengage Learning did the same, hoping to eliminate $4 billion in debt. Earlier in the year, McGraw-Hill completed the sale of its entire education division. And though HMH has since emerged nearly debt free and is seeking an IPO, clearly these are signs that disruptive changes are underway in educational publishing.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Copia, a leading provider of customized digital classroom solutions, today announced it is powering the interactive learning experience behind LearningField. An industry initiative in Australia led by Copyright Agency, LearningField aims to transform classroom instruction by delivering complete, grade-level content aligned with core educational standards in a seamless digital environment.

Dear Penguin Random House Colleagues: Since July 1, I have had the privilege to meet with more than eight thousand of our colleagues around the world, getting to know the heart of our new company:  you. Each of our Penguin Random House companies faces distinct opportunities and challenges, but the way all of you approach your work is the same: with a commitment fueled by a genuine love for what you do. In my conversations at every location-from Kirkwood to Frating, Toronto to New Delhi-

(Reuters) - Barnes & Noble Inc's founder on Tuesday pulled the plug on his plan to buy the company's bookstores and the chain posted a deeper quarterly loss, sending its shares down as much as 16 percent in early trading.

The quarterly results came in slightly ahead of Wall Street expectations, but sales of B&N's Nook device and e-books plunged, and business at its stores slumped.

Leonard Riggio, the company's chairman, founder and top shareholder, said he has suspended his efforts to make an offer for B&N's retail business but reserves the right to pursue an offer in the future.

Interactive e-book publishing platform Inkling announced on Wednesday new, multiyear contracts with two major textbook and medical publishers, deals that will expand the number of titles it offers.

The San Francisco-based company, which makes tools for publishers to create and distribute books for tablets, smartphones, and the Web, is now working with publishers Pearson and Elsevier; The two plan to use Inkling's technology to produce digital versions of their books.

The shift to digital technology is affecting nearly all the industries across the board. Few would have thought that even the book-selling business could become a culprit of the advances in technology. Nonetheless, this is what is happening to Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS).

The company has been trying to position itself for the future with its investment in Nook Media and in partnership with Microsoft and Pearson, a London-based bookseller.

Publishers Penguin and Random House have officially merged into one entity known as Penguin Random House (not, as many had hoped, "Random Penguin" or "Penguin House"). The deal "creates the world's largest publisher of consumer books," according to The Associated Press. Parent companies Pearson and Bertelsmann, which announced the news Monday morning, said the new, New York-based company will employ some 10,000 people and comprise nearly 250 imprints. Penguin CEO John Makinson will be chairman. In the CEO's seat will be Markus Dohle, formerly the chairman and CEO of Random House.