2008 Woodie Awards
Burn your books
Audrey Barker
Issue date: 5/12/08 Section: News
Flat World Knowledge LLC is scheduled for a full on commercial launch in 2009, Baker said. Students in certain classes would be able to access this free textbook through an online Web site created by their teachers.
Another model includes Connexions, a global repository of open educational content founded at Rice University. Like on Flat World knowledge LLC, contributors on Connexions write small lesson packets, such as those on photosynthesis or the three branches of government. Teachers can use these lessons one at a time or DJ them amongst each other for their students, although the original courses and their lesson orders remain saved on the website. Connexions has already accumulated nearly hundreds courses and more than 3,300 lessons.
Open-source educational programs have been gaining steam in recent years. The University of California's College Prep Online, which provides Advanced Placement and other courses via the Internet, and the Community College Consortium for Open Educational Resources a community of educators have already committed to developing open educational resources.
"We are trying to include the managers at [college] bookstores in on this project," Baker said. "They could access the same online information and sell a printed version to students at a marked up price. It would eliminate the need for the bookstore to send back books that aren't purchased, consequently alleviating shipping costs."
Baker's team is currently conducting a one year feasibility study to figure out what open-source textbook program will work for the faculty and students, though "certain questions linger in their heads," Baker said.
"Will the faculty find the online textbooks awkward? Will the students find the online textbooks awkward? We don't know yet. That is ultimately what this year is about, finding out what works."
The bookstore is planning to start a textbook rental program next quarter in which students would pay approximately 30 percent of the retail price to rent a textbook for the quarter. Due to limited space, the initial foray would be a limited pilot project based on available funds and space.
The Academic Senate will flesh out guidelines to determine which books get chosen. Suggested books were those used often before being replaced with newer editions, expensive books over cheaper ones and books for general education courses, because G.E. students are less likely to keep their books."
Another model includes Connexions, a global repository of open educational content founded at Rice University. Like on Flat World knowledge LLC, contributors on Connexions write small lesson packets, such as those on photosynthesis or the three branches of government. Teachers can use these lessons one at a time or DJ them amongst each other for their students, although the original courses and their lesson orders remain saved on the website. Connexions has already accumulated nearly hundreds courses and more than 3,300 lessons.
Open-source educational programs have been gaining steam in recent years. The University of California's College Prep Online, which provides Advanced Placement and other courses via the Internet, and the Community College Consortium for Open Educational Resources a community of educators have already committed to developing open educational resources.
"We are trying to include the managers at [college] bookstores in on this project," Baker said. "They could access the same online information and sell a printed version to students at a marked up price. It would eliminate the need for the bookstore to send back books that aren't purchased, consequently alleviating shipping costs."
Baker's team is currently conducting a one year feasibility study to figure out what open-source textbook program will work for the faculty and students, though "certain questions linger in their heads," Baker said.
"Will the faculty find the online textbooks awkward? Will the students find the online textbooks awkward? We don't know yet. That is ultimately what this year is about, finding out what works."
The bookstore is planning to start a textbook rental program next quarter in which students would pay approximately 30 percent of the retail price to rent a textbook for the quarter. Due to limited space, the initial foray would be a limited pilot project based on available funds and space.
The Academic Senate will flesh out guidelines to determine which books get chosen. Suggested books were those used often before being replaced with newer editions, expensive books over cheaper ones and books for general education courses, because G.E. students are less likely to keep their books."
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