Adopt One Open Textbook and Make a Difference

The passage of the Open Textbook bills in California is a significant development in the open educational resources (OER) space. We have been working on getting the word out as to the benefits of Open Textbooks for some time now. However, when the largest higher education system in the US takes action like this – folks will take notice. In fact, I think this news could be the “tipping point” for an Open Textbook revolution.

Consider the $172 cost of the new edition of one of the top selling algebra books for one of our highest enrolled mathematics courses - Algebra. Now consider that I have over 40 students in each of my 3 sections - that is over 120 students:

$172 x 120 students = $20,640

This is a lot of money for one instructor's one semester of Algebra - now scale this up to the over 340,000 Algebra students in California and you start to see the significant amounts of money involved here!  Here is an info-graphic made by the 20 Million Minds Foundation and an open textbook savings calculator. I like to say that adopting an open textbook is like your very own local stimulus plan!

http://www.20mm.org/infographic-open-source-impact.html 

Now some might argue that the top selling textbook is better for any number of reasons... and yes it might be.  But we have to start considering student cost in our decisions to adopt.  

Is it $172 better?

Is it $100 better?

Is it $50 better?

Is it $25 better?

Can I supplement any shortcomings?

Do I have the time to make change?

I happen to think the 21st century college instructor will use a LMS to aggregate OER as a means to present a course that leverages his/her expertise. High quality modular Open Textbooks and resources are the key. Modifying open textbooks, collecting good content and building courses is time consuming. However, the benefits in course relevance and cost far outweigh any upfront effort. New editions are totally up to you and not a product of the bottom line!

We need to take the “all of the above” approach to addressing the soaring costs of education. These bills may not solve the cost issue overnight - but they sure bring the $200 textbook problem into laser focus. I truly hope the use of Open Textbooks tips - where more faculty and students become aware of their viability. 

Instructor Challenge: Start by adopting one open textbook for next semester. They are hard to find, modify, and supplement.  Some links are provided below that might help. Join the OER community:

 http://collegeopentextbooks.ning.com/

Students Challenge: Start by searching out open textbooks and send the links to your instructors.  Sign the petition. This will be your legacy to those who come after you.

My Viable Math Textbook Links

College Open Textbooks: http://www.collegeopentextbooks.org/

Merlot OER repository: http://www.merlot.org/merlot/index.htm

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Intermediate Algebra Textbook

Dear Colleagues,

I am excited to announce that Flat World Knowledge (FWK) has just published a new textbook, Intermediate Algebra.

In order to combat soaring textbook prices, I have written this textbook in a modular fashion to maximize its effectiveness as an open educational resource. It is available under a creative commons license, has been thoroughly peer-reviewed, and is customizable using the “Make It Your Own” MIYO system. This textbook is the second part of a two-part course in Algebra. It builds on the skills learned in Elementary Algebra and blends the traditional and graphical approaches to the subject.

• Chapter 1: Algebra Fundamentals
• Chapter 2: Graphing Functions and Inequalities
• Chapter 3: Solving Linear Systems
• Chapter 4: Polynomial and Rational Functions
• Chapter 5: Radical Functions and Equations
• Chapter 6: Solving Equations and Inequalities
• Chapter 7: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
• Chapter 8: Conic Sections
• Chapter 9: Sequences, Series, and the Binomial Theorem

Used as a standalone textbook, Intermediate Algebra offers plenty of review as well as something new to engage the student in each chapter. With robust and diverse exercise sets, students have the opportunity to solve plenty of practice problems.  In addition, students might appreciate the embedded video examples.

I am happy to be a part of the solution to the current rising costs associated with one of our essential developmental math courses.  Compare this textbook to other open source algebra projects and you will find that FWK did a great job. The free to read online version makes use of MathJax and images to present the material where the Firefox web browser is recommended.  In addition, the e-textbook and printed versions are available for purchase through the Flat World Knowledge website.

Please feel free to distribute this link to your students and colleagues.  I truly believe that it will be a valuable resource.  Also, feel free to email me with any suggestions or ideas.

Thank You,
John Redden, Professor of Mathematics
johnr@cos.edu
jtredden@gmail.com
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#Open Textbook Tweet

A quick read by Sharyn Fizpatrick on the what and why of open textbooks.

[ e-version on WikiEducator ]

Open Textbook Repository

Try an open textbook next semester.

http://collegeopentextbooks.org/opentextbookcontent/open-textbooks-by-subject

Related articles

• University of Minnesota Launches Review Project For Open Textbooks

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• Board of Regents and Flat World Knowledge Announce Textbook Program Extension

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Make It Your Own

Here is a link to a blog post that I wrote for Flat World Knowledge:

http://blog.flatworldknowledge.com/2012/03/08/3-steps-to-a-perfect-open-textbook/

Unlike most open source materials, the FWK customization tools allow you to easily customize their books.

Related Links

• MIT OpenCourseWare Partners With Flat World Knowledge to Provide Free Courses & Free Textbooks (bostinno.com)
• Flat World Knowledge

What People Think I do... Meme.

I had to get in on this.

Elementary Algebra TOC - Free to Read Online (No Login!)

Here is the table of contents for the open Elementary Algebra textbook found on the FlatWorld Knowledge website.  You will find that the content is fairly modular, I have written it from the ground up with the expectation that instructors will modify it to suit their particular course.  I am confident that everything needed for a Beginning Algebra (Algebra 1) course is covered, but feel free to MIYO (make it your own) by customizing it as you please. This textbook has the advantage over other open source material in that it has been thoroughly reviewed and vetted through the traditional publishing process.  (Note: Be patient with the website, there are many math elements to be rendered for the web.)


Chapter 1 - Real Numbers and Their Operations

1.1 Real Numbers and The Number Line
1.2 Adding and Subtracting Integers
1.3 Multiplying and Dividing Integers
1.4 Fractions
1.5 Review of Decimals and Percents
1.6 Exponents and Square Roots
1.7 Order of Operations
1.8 Review Exercises and Sample Exam

Chapter 2 - Linear Equations and Inequalities 

2.1 Introduction to Algebra
2.2 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
2.3 Linear Equations: Part I
2.4 Linear Equations: Part II
2.5 Applications of Linear Equations
2.6 Ratio and Proportion Applications
2.7 Introduction to Inequalities and Interval Notation
2.8 Linear Inequalities (one variable)
2.9 Review Exercises and Sample Exam

Chapter 3 - Graphing Lines

3.1 Rectangular Coordinate System
3.2 Graph by Plotting Points
3.3 Graph using Intercepts
3.4 Graph using the y-intercept and Slope
3.5 Finding Linear Equations
3.6 Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
3.7 Introduction to Functions
3.8 Linear Inequalities (Two Variables)
3.9 Review Exercises and Sample Exam

Chapter 4 - Solving Linear Systems 

4.1 Solving Linear Systems by Graphing
4.2 Solving Linear Systems by Substitution
4.3 Solving Linear Systems by Elimination
4.4 Applications of Linear Systems
4.5 Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities (Two Variables)
4.6 Review Exercises and Sample Exam

Chapter 5 - Polynomials and Their Operations 

5.1 Rules of Exponents (Integer Exponents)
5.2 Introduction to Polynomials and Evaluating
5.3 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
5.4 Multiplying Polynomials and Special Products
5.5 Dividing Polynomials
5.6 Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation
5.7 Review Exercises and Sample Exam

Chapter 6- Factoring and Solving by Factoring

6.1 Introduction to Factoring
6.2 Factoring Trinomials
6.3 Factoring Trinomials ax^2 + bx + c
6.4 Factoring Binomials
6.5 General Guidelines for Factoring Polynomials
6.6 Solving Equations by Factoring
6.7 Applications involving Quadratic Equations
6.8 Review Exercises and Sample Exam

Chapter 7- Rational Expressions and Equations

7.1 Simplifying Rational Expressions
7.2 Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions
7.3 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
7.4 Complex Fractions
7.5 Solving Rational Equations
7.6 Applications of Rational Equations
7.7 Variation
7.8 Review Exercises and Sample Exam

Chapter 8- Radical Expressions and Equations 

8.1 Radicals
8.2 Simplifying Radical Expressions
8.3 Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions
8.4 Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions
8.5 Rational Exponents
8.6 Solving Radical Equations
8.7 Review Exercises and Sample Exam

Chapter 9- Solving Quadratic Equations and Graphing Parabolas 

9.1 Extracting Square Roots
9.2 Completing the Square
9.3 Quadratic Formula
9.4 Guidelines for Solving Quadratic Equations and Applications
9.5 Graphing Parabolas
9.6 Introduction to Complex Numbers and Complex Solutions
9.7 Review Exercises and Sample Exam

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Open Precalculus Textbook

I am almost through my first semester using the following open source Precalculus textbook:

Stitz - Zeager Open Source Mathematics

It covered all of the topics that I needed without supplementation and the students liked its readability... and of course the cost. I especially liked the continuing coverage of inequalities and heavy use of sign charts throughout. The pdf is well produced and easy to navigate using the linked TOC. Buying a printed copy was easy and the quality was good -- the Trigonometry portion is printed separately.

I will definitely use it again and I recommend it to anyone teaching this course.

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Isaac Newton's Principia

Isaac Newton's Principia is recognized as the greatest scientific book ever written.  You can read it on Google books for free:  Newton's Principia with notes and illustrations.

Image via Wikipedia

In addition,  you can read about Isaac Newton here and view his childhood home below.

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View Larger Map

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FWK Technology

An excellent interview with Jon Williams the Chief Technology Officer of flat world knowledge.

Interview: Ed Tech Leader, Jon Williams of Flat World Knowledge

The "make it your own" MIYO platform has great potential. As Jon puts it, "one benefit of thinking of systems as a “platform” is that it forces you to take a longer view, and plan for future business growth and needs."

MIYO

Related articles

• Flat World Knowledge launches platform for customizable digital textbooks (teleread.com)
• Interview with Eric Frank, Flat World Knowledge, by Sue Polanka (teleread.com)
• Random House Invests In Flat World Knowledge (paidcontent.org)

The Benefits of Open Textbooks

Image via WikipediaCost is not the only benefit of open textbooks.  Instructors are encouraged to modify and aggregate content to make their courses more current and relevant.  Add content to your LMS each semester and evolve your course.  Reuse, remix, and share your content.

Before considering an open textbook or any other open educational resource (OER) consider reading:

7 Things you Should Know About Open Textbook Publishing

These concepts are mirrored in Dr. Shu Schiller's video endorsement of Flat World Knowledge textbooks:

Another great resource for open content is the Merlot website. Merlot stands for multimedia educational resource for learning and online teaching.  There is much to sift through out there.  This is why I suggest using an LMS like Blackboard or Moodle, you can add or modify content each semester and evolve your course over time... 21st students will appreciate it.

Related articles

• 1 in 4 College Textbooks Will Be Digital By 2015 (nytimes.com)
• What *is* "Open"? (elearningcentralia.wordpress.com)
• CK-12 Brings Digital Books into the Classroom (ostatic.com)