Writing and Implementing an Open Textbook in World Regional Geography: A Case Study

Authors

  • Caitlin Finlayson University of Mary Washington

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v21i4.4756

Keywords:

case study, geography, open textbook, open educational resources, OER, open textbook authoring

Abstract

As the rising cost of college textbooks has outpaced both inflation and increases in tuition fees, this expense has created a significant barrier to student learning. Some instructors have adopted or created open educational resources, meaning materials which are freely and openly available. While the most obvious benefit of open course content might be cost savings, the fact that these materials can be freely adapted and changed can have substantial impact on the learning experience itself and enable an instructor to completely change the structure and outcomes of a course. This paper provides a case study on writing an open textbook for a course called World Regional Geography and details the writing process and platform options. I also offer practical guidance for faculty interested in authoring open materials and insight into how writing open materials might be framed in terms of a faculty member’s larger portfolio of professional activity.

 

References

Aesoph, L.M. (2018). Self-publishing guide. Victoria, BC: BCcampus. Retrieved from https://opentextbc.ca/selfpublishguide/

Bissell, A. (2009). Permission granted: Open licensing for educational resources. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 24(1), 97-106. doi: 10.1080/02680510802627886

Bliss, T., Hilton, J., Wiley, D., & Thanos, K. (2013). College student and faculty perceptions of the cost and quality of open textbooks. First Monday, 18(1). doi: 10.5210/fm.v18i1.3972

Bowen, Ryan S. (2017). Understanding by design. Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. Retrieved from https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/understanding-by-design/

Bowen, W. G., Chingos, M. M., Lack, K. A., & Nygren, T. I. (2014). Interactive learning online at public universities: Evidence from a six-campus randomized trial. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 33(1), 94-111. doi: 10.1002/pam.21728

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2016). College tuition and fees increase 63 percent since January 2006. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2016/college-tuition-and-fees-increase-63-percent-since-january-2006.htm

Colvard, N. B., Watson, C. E., & Park, H. (2018). The impact of open educational resources on various student success metrics. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 30(2), 262-276. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1184998.pdf

D’Antoni, S. (2009). Open educational resources: Reviewing initiatives and issues. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 24(1), 3-10. doi: 10.1080/02680510802625443

Downes, S. (2007). Models for sustainable open educational resources. Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge and Learning Objects, 3(1), 29-44. doi: 10.28945/384

Falldin, M. & Lauritsen, K. (2017). Authoring open textbooks. Open Textbook Network. Retrieved from https://press.rebus.community/authoropen/

Feldstein, A., Martin, M., Hudson, A., Warren, K., Hilton III, J., & Wiley, D. (2012). Open textbook and increased student access and outcomes. European Journal of Open, Distance, and E-Learning, 15(2). Retrieved from https://www.eurodl.org/materials/contrib/2012/Feldsteint_et_al.pdf

Hilton III, J. L. (2016). Open educational resources and college textbook choices: A review of research on efficacy and perceptions. Educational Technology Research and Development, 64(4), 573-590. doi: 10.1007/s11423-016-9434-9

Hilton III, J. L., Fischer, L., Wiley, D., & Williams, L. (2016). Maintaining momentum toward graduation: OER and the course throughput rate. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 17(6), 18–27. doi: 10.19173/irrodl.v17i6.2686

Hilton III, J., & Laman, C. (2012). One college’s use of an open psychology textbook. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 27(3), 265-272. doi: 10.1080/02680513.2012.716657

Hilton III, J. & Wiley, D. A. (2011). Open access textbooks and financial sustainability: A case study on Flat World Knowledge. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 12(5), 18-26. doi: 10.19173/irrodl.v12i5.960

Lovett, M., Meyer, O., & Thille, C. (2008). The Open Learning Initiative: Measuring the effectiveness of the OLI statistics course in accelerating student learning. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 14, 1–16. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ840810.pdf

Open Education Group. (n.d.). The COUP framework. Retrieved from http://openedgroup.org/coup

Pawlyshyn, N., Braddlee, B., Casper, L., & Miller, H. (2013, November 4). Adopting OER: A case study of cross-institutional collaboration and innovation. EDUCAUSE Review. Retrieved from https://er.educause.edu/articles/2013/11/adopting-oer-a-case-study-of-crossinstitutional-collaboration-and-innovation

Popken, B. (2015). College textbook prices have risen 1,041 percent since 1977. NBC News. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/freshman-year/college-textbook-prices-have-risen-812-percent-1978-n399926

Virginia’s Academic Library Consortium (VIVA). (2019). VIVA course redesign grant program: Spring 2019 awards. Retrieved from http://vivalib.org/c.php?g=836990&p=6638954

Virginia Tech. (2019). Open education: Open textbook authoring and editing. Retrieved from https://guides.lib.vt.edu/oer/authors

Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (1998). Understanding by design. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/Publications/Books/Overview/Understanding-by-Design-Expanded-2nd-Edition.aspx

Published

2020-06-24

How to Cite

Finlayson, C. (2020). Writing and Implementing an Open Textbook in World Regional Geography: A Case Study. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 21(4), 245–254. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v21i4.4756

Issue

Section

Notes From the Field