open textbooks
Digital textbooks
In an effort to save money, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (did I spell that right?) has announced that starting next fall, math and science classes in California will be taught using digital textbooks. While most admit it will save money in the long run, critics point out that there will be huge start up costs and wonder where the money will come from to provide each student with their own e-reader. There are many details to be worked out. Among them-
Will the state pay for the devices or at least subsidize the cost?
Will teachers just end up printing out pages for students?
Will teachers be able to change or modify open-source materials?
Will the quality be as high with open-source textbooks?
How many students will have access to computers at home?
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Open Textbooks (part 2 - #1 got lost with the server)
Open textbooks are the concept of having textbooks for free or a fraction of the cost of tradational textbooks by offering the text online in digital format allowing users to print or read from an electronic device.
As I have considered the idea of open textbooks, I see definate advantages and disadvantages. The major advantage would be that texts would be available to all who are willing to read. Students the world over would be happy to see their wallets get a little fatter and save so much on the cost of usually outrageously priced texts.
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Open Ed 2008
I am fasinated with the idea of Open Textbooks. What a concept. There are so many pros to having a book at the click of a button...The possibilities are endless...many people can use it without a cost, new additions and updates can be made quickly, backs will stop aching from caring around a ton of books...I want to know what will be available for those that do not have access to internet?Click here to read more »
Submitted by John Sanchez on Mon, 10/06/2008 - 3:11pm
Textbooks . . . . What a Rip!
I had the chance today to take a look at the Make Textbooks Affordable website.Click here to read more »
Submitted by Thomas Johnson on Tue, 09/30/2008 - 11:22pm
Open textbooks
Being a student there would be nothing better than having my textbooks cost less. I mean, let's face it, textbooks are really expensive, and I'm paying tuition on top if it. Most students I know would like to see this happen, and the way that was proposed in session 3 was to make it available online. Connextions specifically is the organization that would make it happen. By breaking courseware down to maintainable modules, their system would stay up to date and flexible.Click here to read more »
