The world's biggest education company is adapting the releases of their textbooks, making them "digital first".

British-based publishing company Pearson will make a break from the traditional model of publishing textbooks. Instead, it will focus on releasing content via its own Global Learning platform for the US college market.

The company has had issues in recent years as more students seek out secondhand books, resulting in a lack of sales and profits.

But it says forecasts for the company are looking more positive as it plans to sell e-textbooks, which are designed to draw in the "Spotify generation".

Speaking to Sky News, Pearson's chief financial officer Coram Williams said: "Our research indicates that the majority of students are looking for access to, not ownership of textbooks."


Image: Pearson say the plans for their textbooks are built with the "Spotify generation" in mind

Mr Williams also dismissed concerns the company was pricing poorer students out with their digital plans.

"As you move to a digital model, the price comes down for students, but Pearson gains more share from the second-hand market. The pricing is, therefore, a win-win for students and Pearson," he said.

Pearson's digital pricing plan:

Digital textbook to rent per semester: $40 (£32)

Physical textbook to rent per semester: $60 (£48)

Mr Williams also promised Pearson would continue to provide physical books through its rental service.

"Of our 1,500 titles, we will have about 500 in our print rental programme by the end of this year.

"We will continue to shift physical products to our rental programme and we are doing this gradually over time to ensure it plays out as we expect.

"Students do get an option to buy the text at the end of the rental period, but we find most do not take this option."

The company said the digital textbooks would be updated more often than their current printed stock. Currently, the company republishes textbooks every three years.