As if there weren’t sufficient companies with a “+” of their identify, right here’s one other in your record: Pearson+, the wannabe Netflix for faculty textbooks.

Pearson just lately unveiled Pearson+, a desktop and cellular app that can supply digital textbooks from the corporate’s catalogue by way of a two-tiered subscription mannequin. The $9.99 per 30 days single tier provides college students entry to 1 Pearson textbook, whereas the $14.99 multi-tier offers entry to greater than 1,500 textbooks. In a information launch, the corporate stated Pearson+ would supply college students the “most versatile and funds pleasant” approach to entry digital textbooks and examine instruments. The app will probably be launched on U.S. campuses within the fall.

While you examine that provide to the costs for print textbooks on Pearson’s web site in the intervening time—which embody a laboratory guide at $63.99 and an engineering textbook at $181.32, amongst a spread of different costs—that does sound like a discount.

“College students are clear that they like the comfort and affordability of digital studying instruments like Pearson+,” Pearson CEO Andy Hen stated within the launch. “With Pearson+ we’re reimagining the educational expertise for college students and constructing direct relationships with them, which can permit us to proceed to reinforce the product with options they want and wish.”

Hen added that the corporate needs college students to spend much less time apprehensive about shopping for their books and extra time having fun with their school expertise. Along with digital textbooks, Pearson+ subscribers may even obtain a bundle of examine instruments, together with audio variations of books, enhanced search options, pre-made and customizable flashcards, and the flexibility to vary the fonts and backgrounds of books, amongst others.

Now, whereas that every one sounds dandy, let’s keep in mind the important thing message right here: Pearson+ permits single or limitless entry to Pearson’s catalogue of books. Which may be very good, however because the Monetary Occasions factors out, many college students are assigned textbooks from a wide range of publishers.

It may additionally create one other downside: pressuring professors to decide on textbooks that may not be the very best ones for the category.

“Perhaps the entry settlement, or stress from college students with subscriptions, means college are compelled to go for a textbook which isn’t essentially the very best for the course,” Eddie Watson, affiliate vice president for curricular and pedagogical innovation on the Affiliation of American Schools and Universities, informed the Occasions. “The chance is it precludes different choices that may be extra open and extra reasonably priced.”