Opentextbooks faq
OPEN TEXTBOOKS IN GENERAL
Do open textbooks rely on the generosity of authors?
What does non-commercial use of an open textbook mean?
Open Textbook Glossary
DISCOVERING AND SELECTING
What is the best open textbook repository?
How can I tell if an open textbook is of high quality?
ADOPTING AND USING
Should I expect my students to buy a bound copy of the textbook or use it online?
What are the rules for when and how an open textbook must be adopted?
OPEN TEXTBOOKS IN GENERAL
Do open textbooks rely on the generosity of authors?
A quality textbook is created by authors, illustrators, editors, publishers, project managers, indexers, photographers, technologists, and others. A textbook donated by only an author is unlikely to be of high quality. In traditional publishing, the author or authors are paid royalties and the others do the work as part of their paid jobs. While there is one open textbook publisher with this business model, most open textbooks are funded by grants or by academic departments. The author or authors are paid as work-for-hire like the other creators.
What does non-commercial use of an open textbook mean?
This is an excellent question and there is no precise legal answer. The European countries are moving toward a definition that says it is the USE of the textbook, not the organization, which determines non-commercial. In other words, the user can be for-profit, not-for-profit, non-profit, or an individual. The textbook cannot be sold but a reasonable fee can be collected for reproduction and distribution costs.
DISCOVERING AND SELECTING
What is the best open textbook repository?
This question is a little like asking "What is the best automobile?" The best repository depends on the user. Characteristics of good repositories can be identified (ease of searching, wide variety of resources, multiple formats, and more). Generally the easier it is for adopters to use a repository, the more difficult it is for creators to put their work into that repository (and vice versa). The most important criterion for any adopter is whether the repository holds a useful book. More than half of the open textbooks are on single-book sites. Because of this, lists such as Open College Textbooks and MERLOT are usually better places to start than repositories.
How can I tell if an open textbook is of high quality?
In addition to your own perusal of the book, reviews by peers and students are helpful. Some open textbook lists and repositories make it possible to contact other adopters of the textbook.
ADOPTING AND USING
Should I expect my students to buy a bound copy of the textbook or use it online?
Students who use an open textbook online will need access to a computer and an internet connection, preferably a high-speed connection. If the textbook can be downloaded, the students will be able to study the textbook while offline. If you require the students to bring the textbook to class, you will need to provide a computer lab or the students will need a printed or bound copy.
What are the rules for when and how an open textbook must be adopted?
There are as many answers to this question as there are departments in colleges. The onus is on the instructor or professor to determine the state laws, institution rules, and department policies. Many instructors have complete freedom, others have very tight rules.
