09-29-2012, 01:53 PM | #1 |
friendly lurker
Posts: 896
Karma: 2436026
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: US
Device: Kindle, nook, Apple and Kobo
|
Library of open source college textbooks created
Teleread recently published a blog post about the creation of an Open Source library of lower division college textbooks.
California is the leader again, innovating a means for college students to hold down some college costs. Important to note that due to the nature of the licensing the textbooks will be available for anyone to use. A provision is put on these licenses so that print versions of the books must be available for no more than $20. http://www.teleread.com/ http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2...rce-textbooks/ https://creativecommons.org/weblog/entry/34288 |
09-29-2012, 02:52 PM | #2 |
Star Gawker
Posts: 526
Karma: 6944314
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Spruce Grove, AB Canada
Device: Kindle Paperwhite
|
I am a real fan of the idea. If these open textbooks can be developed collaboratively from professors/teachers all over the world and if they see widespread adoption, it could really lower the cost of education for many people.
And what a boon for countries who are struggling to improve their educational system. |
09-29-2012, 03:17 PM | #3 |
Reading and reading
Posts: 582
Karma: 8250144
Join Date: Oct 2010
Device: Infibeam Pi, iPod Touch 4G, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 2, Oneplus One
|
(Sometimes) What I do actually, is:
Look all topics in syllabus on Wikipedia. Add them to book. (Wikipedia feature). Makes auto-chapters. Read on ereader!!! |
09-29-2012, 03:18 PM | #4 | |
Spork Connoisseur
Posts: 2,355
Karma: 16780603
Join Date: Mar 2011
Device: Nook Color
|
Quote:
|
|
09-30-2012, 08:10 AM | #5 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 11,732
Karma: 128354696
Join Date: May 2009
Location: 26 kly from Sgr A*
Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000
|
I'm surprised the lobbyists for Big Publishing let it go this far.
There's a big chunk of their revenue coming from those over-priced textbooks. On the other hand, it very neatly solves their "used textbook problem". |
09-30-2012, 08:53 AM | #6 |
Banned
Posts: 1,687
Karma: 4368191
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Oregon
Device: Kindle3
|
It's interesting but I do wonder how much influence the state is going to have over the content, perhaps none, perhaps some.
Now if they would just make tuition free again... |
09-30-2012, 08:59 AM | #7 |
Enthusiast
Posts: 33
Karma: 522576
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Vietnam
Device: iPad 3; Kindle DX
|
Wow this is awesome! I'm exploring the site already
|
09-30-2012, 09:29 AM | #8 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 11,732
Karma: 128354696
Join Date: May 2009
Location: 26 kly from Sgr A*
Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000
|
The state *always* has influence over textbooks.
Being a 50-50 public/private partnership should limit skew a bit. Although one would expect the Sociology and PoliSci texts to be the best candidates for meddling. But since they're Open Textbooks they'll be readily modifiable to suit the professor so most of the medding (and ensuing controversy) will be at the grass roots not top-down. |
09-30-2012, 11:53 AM | #9 |
Books are brain food.
Posts: 2,950
Karma: 4836916
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: U.S.
Device: Paperwhite · Fire HD6/HD8/HD10 · Galaxy Tab A7
|
This is wonderful news! Even used textbooks are ridiculously priced.
Last edited by DreamWriter; 01-23-2014 at 12:50 PM. |
09-30-2012, 04:28 PM | #10 |
occasional author
Posts: 2,314
Karma: 2064403292
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wandering God's glorious hills, valleys and plains.
Device: A Franklin BI (before Internet) was the first. I still have it.
|
|
09-30-2012, 04:30 PM | #11 | |
occasional author
Posts: 2,314
Karma: 2064403292
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wandering God's glorious hills, valleys and plains.
Device: A Franklin BI (before Internet) was the first. I still have it.
|
Quote:
|
|
09-30-2012, 08:23 PM | #12 |
Banned
Posts: 1,687
Karma: 4368191
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Oregon
Device: Kindle3
|
|
09-30-2012, 08:32 PM | #13 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 7,034
Karma: 39379388
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: near Philadelphia USA
Device: Kindle Kids Edition, Fire HD 10 (11th generation)
|
My problem with this is that the financially distressed state of California, or at least its financially distressed higher education system, is going to put out bids for many of these textbooks. Someone then has to pay for them, and it probably will be, through still higher tuition, the students.
Under the current system, if a student can't afford textbooks, I believe he or she can read them in the library. Under this new system, it sounds like students will be forced to, albeit indirectly, buy -- or borrow money for -- the books. |
09-30-2012, 08:36 PM | #14 |
TuxSlash
Posts: 392
Karma: 2436547
Join Date: Oct 2009
Device: GlowNook
|
Schwarzenegger proposed this back in 2009. It's good to see Brown actually sign this one, however. Everything I studied in the first two years of University was at least 100 years old.
http://arstechnica.com/information-t...ok-initiative/ Last edited by MovieBird; 09-30-2012 at 08:39 PM. |
10-01-2012, 03:49 AM | #15 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,068
Karma: 23867385
Join Date: Nov 2011
Device: kindle, fire
|
My kid's booklist was not released until the semester started which greatly hindered our ability to locate used/discounted texts. Some specified new revisions which prevented reuse of texts. One class required a special edition of a text which actually was a subset of the standard text plus some custom eye candy. This was such a blatent ripoff that the professor told the kids to buy the standard edition. Big Education is a Big Ripoff.
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
best tablet for college/ebooks/textbooks | gothaam | Which one should I buy? | 6 | 10-25-2011 06:12 PM |
Digital textbooks open a new chapter - South Korea | kennyc | General Discussions | 3 | 10-19-2011 10:19 AM |
Ebook reader for college student (reading textbooks) (making notes in them) | silverback88 | Which one should I buy? | 19 | 08-22-2010 05:56 AM |
Open College Textbook Act of 2009 | kennyc | News | 24 | 10-05-2009 05:59 PM |
Sun's McNealy working on open source textbooks | Bob Russell | News | 8 | 12-12-2006 02:03 PM |