Tadween Roundup: News and Analysis from the Publishing/Academic World

Tadween Publishing brings you the latest news and analyses from the publishing and academic worlds that relates to pedagogy and knowledge production.

How Open Access and Para-Academic Publishers Are Disrupting Academic Publishing
By Kevin Eagan (Digital Book World)

As book publishing evolves alongside technology, academic publishing has remained static in many ways. Yet, as Kevin Eagan explains, the open access movement and “para-academic” publishing are making changes to academic publishing outside of its traditional realm.

Entire library journal editorial board resigns, citing ‘crisis of conscience’ after death of Aaron Swartz
By Russell Brandon (The Verge)

The editor-in-chief and editorial board of the Journal of Library Administration resign in order to demonstrate their support for the open access movement in the wake of Aaron Swartz’s suicide.

Why ebooks are a different genre from print
By Stuart Kelly (The Guardian)

According to Stuart Kelly, eBooks are not only changing the cosmetic and physical appearance of books, they are changing the very essence of what a book is.

Don’t Let the Dream of Open Access Journals Die
By Puneet Opal (The Atlantic)

Following the announcement by MIT that it would release documents relating to the case of Aaron Swart, Puneet Opal makes an argument in favor of open access to academic publications, stating that such a commitment would “push society intellectually forward.”

The state of state funding of higher education
By Doug Lederman (Inside Higher Ed)

In the face of economic crisis, many state funded institutions of higher education across the United States have experienced cuts to their budgets over the past few years. To counter this withdrawal of revenue, some colleges and universities have sought to increase tuition. A new report, however, claims that raising tuition might be the wrong move to make.

U.S. Still Has More Work to Do in Technology Education
Autumn Arnett and T.A. Cooper (Diverse)

If the United States is looking to embrace technology in the classroom, China might be the model to follow.

Assault on Writers From Automated Software
By Gini Graham Scott (Huffington Post)

Writers are constantly facing challenges to old publishing norms thanks to evolving technology. Yet, as Gini Graham Scott explains, one of those challenges may be that new technology could replace writers altogether.

Amazon Buys Goodreads: We’re all just data now
By Rob Spillman (Salon)

Amazon’s purchase of Goodreads, an online portal for writers and readers to review books, looks to be another move by the corporation to take over the book publishing world.