Open source approach to textbook publishing (via Springwise)
Sunny talks about new online textbook trends (a way to save money), an online university non-profit that’s starting in April and MIT’s free open courseware (yes, they’ll take donations)
Getting Nailed by the Book
Springwise newsletter | 13 August 2008: “
Textbooks have long made up an all-too-significant proportion of college students’ annual costs, currently approaching an average of USD 1,000 per year in the US, according to Make Textbooks Affordable. General outcry has ensued, but a new experiment from publisher Flat World Knowledge just may provide a new—and ad-free—solution.
Beginning this month and continuing through the Fall 2008 semester, Flat World Knowledge is conducting a beta test in which it is offering four different textbooks online for free to hundreds of students at 15 colleges and universities across the United States. The texts are from the areas of business and economics, and will replace traditional textbooks in a single class or class section at each participating institution. Not only will students have free online access to the expert-written, peer-reviewed and professionally edited texts, but the texts will be open as well through a Creative Commons licensing scheme, giving faculty the ability to customize them as they wish for their classes.”
(Too bad it’s not in Canada)
To be sure it is an idea worth endorsing. Back in university, there were so many pointless textbooks that I often threw up my hands in disgust saying, “What’s the point?” Most of the material in the courses were covered by lecture slides and notes (which stuck to the heart of the matter anyway). If there was something that could be learned, you could easily go online to get it.
With the Internet some of the most recent information out there is already available. By the time a textbook is written it’s already years out of date. Then you buy it, use it and end up trying to sell it with mixed success. After all, professors or courses often don’t use the same textbook from year to year. Sometimes those books never sell!
Online Books? How ‘Bout Online Universities?!
Apparently an experienced educator named Shai Reshef decided to start a University of the People. This online university/not for profit (nonprofit) is slated to open its doors April 20, 2009 (16 days from now). They are working to make their courses accredited and recognized.
The stated vision of the University?
“The University of the People promises to open the gates of higher education to anyone in the world interested in attending college. We believe that education at a very minimal cost is a basic right for all suitable applicants, not just for a privileged few.”
The UoP explains further that:
The University of the People is based on the premise that education is crucial to the advancement of individuals and of society at large. There are millions of people around the world, especially in developing countries, who are excluded from higher education for various reasons: some live far away from academic institutions, others cannot afford the admission fee and tuition for the local university.
Women in developing nations need the education to both empower themselves and create better opportunities. Also helps with family planning and keeping the family size in check. The only way to do it is to give women (and others) the tools they need to adapt to a changing world.
Even locally however people need access and options. According to UoP:
“Long distance learning is a growing trend in the U.S. According to a survey by the Sloan Consortium, approximately 4 million students are enrolled in online education. As a tuition-free service, UoP will take the concept of eLearning to an unprecedentedly broader – worldwide – audience.”
“Give a man a fish you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” (proverb)
The only thing that comes close to UoP right now is Massachusetts Institute of Technology Open Courseware (MIT Open Courseware). It has course notes and videos from areas like architecture, planning, engineering, science, management and other mixed programs. I gave it a try though the benefit to me seems minimal since I have other resources at my fingertips which are more complete. The courseware gives you the gist and some details and don’t always have all the meat.
Back at my old university (Queen’s University), Ontario Public Interest Research Group Kingston started a Free Queen’s free non-credit course offered twice per year. That was a more local initiative though not online. They should probably check out how they can join forces with groups like UoP or even MIT to provide those resources through the Net or even through alliances with their local universities or colleges.
Remember: As much as one can love online learning, nothing beats the regular fun of doing it in person – particularly if it involves hands on shoveling, climbing or designing.
Resources
Free Queen’s
A new program that will commence in September 2001, Free Queen’s offers free non-credit courses that are taught by volunteer instructors from the university and the Kingston community. Courses combine academic and experiential approaches to learning and cover subjects not nescessarily covered in formal academic environments. Courses are open to all adults in the Kingston and area community interested in expanding their intellectual horizons. The Free Queen’s Working Group has members from the Human Rights Office, Instructional Development Centre, Equity Office, Ban Righ Centre, Student Affairs Office, and John Deutsch University Centre.
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