Jim Books & Resources books, e-books, OER
No sooner do I make a post about open textbooks and the impact it could have on community colleges, then there’s a news item in the local Lansing State Journal about a retired Michigan State Univ prof that’s written an open textbook about organic chemistry that’s being used in our own backyard, as well as around the world:
Ex-MSU prof writes free online textbook | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal.
Jim Books & Resources books, OER
I had a discussion the other day with a couple colleagues where the issue of textbook costs arose. I am a huge advocate of open educational resources and open textbooks (see If You Believe in “Intellectual Property”, How Do You Teach Others? – Answer: you can’t). I also know from my consulting work in the 1990’s that there’s no real reason why textbooks should be as expensive as they are today. Print-on-demand can bring the costs down dramatically.
So I thought I would add a few links to the blog for those interested in getting started investigating the idea:
Finally, I have new post at my economics blog about the Economic Alchemy: How to Raise Tuition but Lower Student Costs. Also, I advise that people not confuse “online books” with “low-cost” or “open”. Yes, “open textbooks” and newer low-cost books can be put online. But the “online books” being promoted by the major oligopoly publishers are NOT low-cost solutions. In practice, they major publisher solutions like CourseSmart actually end up raising student costs. For more about that, see my post on Online Books.
Jim Community Service, TV film interview, WLNS
I did a quick interview for Channel 6 WLNS today with Jessica Maki. The GM Lansing Delta Plant is rolling out and shipping the new Chevy Traverse models today. See my Econproph.com post for my comments. Should be on 6:00 news tonight.
(special treat, I got to be filmed by “Camera Man of the YEAR!” Dave Parks — seriously, congrats Dave.)
Jim Professional Development Training
I completed the “Search Committee Training” provided by the HR dept.
Jim College Service/Committees CWAC
After over two years of learning more about e-portfolios than I ever expected, the E-portfolio Ad Hoc Task Force’s work at LCC is complete. I think. We made final recommendations to the Provost to implement RosEvaluation system from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (with a couple of caveats). For more details, contact me.