The State of Open Textbooks

August 9, 2011 - 8:04pm | by txtbks
Presenter(s)
Nicole Allen (US Public Interest Research Group, US)
Session Information
November 9, 2011 - 1:30pm
Track: 
Open Educational Resources
Areas of Special Interest: 
Practical Application
Institutional Level: 
Universities and Four Year Institutions
Audience Level: 
All
Session Type: 
Information Session
Location: 
Europe 3
Session Duration: 
35 Minutes
Concurrent Session: 
3
Abstract

Dive in for number-by-number look at the state of open textbooks - how many are there? where are they used? what is the impact on students?

Extended Abstract

As a stepping stone between the bricks and mortar texts of today and the innovative, technology-rich learning environments of tomorrow, open textbooks have become one of the fastest-growing and widely-recognized sectors of the OER movement. This session will dive into the numbers for a close look at the state of open textbooks - how many are there? where are they used? what is the impact on students? It will also consider other indicators, such as faculty opinions, portrayal in the media, and the most successful open textbook-related efforts. The information presented will include extensive research conducted by the Student PIRGs and a wealth of data from the largest producers of open textbooks. Attendees will walk away knowing exactly how far open textbooks have come, where they are now and what we're likely to see in the future. To the extent open textbooks are a gateway to OER adoption by the mainstream, the information will be relevant to virtually anyone with an interest in open education.

Lead Presenter

Nicole Allen is the Textbooks Advocate for the Student PIRGs and director of the Make Textbooks Affordable project. Since 2007, she has worked with students, faculty and decision-makers across the country to address the rapidly rising cost of college textbooks through grassroots organizing, public education and advocacy. Nationally recognized as a leading issue expert, Ms. Allen's research and opinions have been cited in numerous publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. She has coordinated several large-scale campaigns, including passing a federal law requiring textbook publishers to disclose important price information and organizing more than 2,500 professors to sign a declaration of support for open-source textbooks.

Presenter 1 Email: 
nicole@studentpirgs.org