open textbook adoption on the prairies: initiative and support at one university
TRANSCRIPT
Open textbook adoption on the
Prairies: Initiatives and support at one
universityHeather M. Ross & Nancy K. Turner
University of Saskatchewan
Overview• Open textbooks• Open textbooks at USask• Diffusion of innovations• Open textbook adoption through lens of diffusion• Moving forward
The Academic Impact• Purchase an older edition of the textbook• Delay purchasing the textbook• Never purchase the textbook
63.6% Not purchase the required textbook
49.2% Take fewer courses
45.1% Not register for a specific course
33.9% Earn a poor grade
26.7% Drop a course
17.0% Fail a course
In your academic career, has the cost of required textbooks caused you to:
http://www.openaccesstextbooks.org/pdf/2012_Florida_Student_Textbook_Survey.pdf
What are open textbooks?
• Digital• Free• Instructor written• Peer reviewed• Adaptable*
Why Should We Integrate
• Cost savings for students• Access for learners• Customization (revise & remix)• Efficiency• Community• Reputation
Open textbooks at USask
First Adoption We Knew About
• Winter 2015• Principles of Economics (OpenStax)• Agriculture and Bioresource• 270 students• Out of the box
Known Adoptions at USask
• College of Agriculture and Bioresource• Edwards School of Business• Department of Chemistry• Department of History• Department of Sociology
• 2015 - 2016 academic year – 900+ students = $90,000+ savings
Adaptation / Creation• College of Engineering
– engineering economics
• Department of Biology – second year biology
• Edwards School of Business – College Success
Diffusion of Innovations
Knowledge
Persuasion
Decision(adopt or
reject)
Implementation
Confirmation
Stages of Adoption
Variables Determining Rate of Adoption
Perceived Attributes
Type of Innovation-
Decision
Communication Channels
Nature of Social System
(culture)
Change Agents Promotion
Efforts
Relative Advantage Compatibility
Complexity Trialability
Observability
Perceived Attributes
Type of Innovation-Decision
AuthorityCollectiveOptional
Open Textbooks & Diffusion
• Perceived attributes – what are the benefits?o Matching appropriate content
to courseso Free and ability to localizeo Try alongside existing
resources• Type of innovation-
decision = optional• Communication –
posters, media, word-of-mouth
Open Textbooks & Diffusion
• Nature of social system:o Academic freedomo Barriers related to tenure &
promotiono Funding
• Change agent promotion:o Workshopso Individual supporto Support resource
development
Moving Forward• Continued education & communication• Adaptions / creations• Adoptions• Funding
Questions & Commentsopen.usask.ca