Open SUNY Textbooks Initiative (2012) is an open access textbook initiative by the State University of New York (SUNY) libraries and supported by SUNY Innovative Instruction Technology Grants for developing and publishing at least thirty high-quality, cost-effective, college level open textbooks by various faculty authors. Ten open textbooks (Phase 1) are currently availabe for global use by educators and students, with an additional 16 open textbooks (Phase 2) coming soon.
Type of Material:
The learning object is a learning object repository containing open textbooks on various subjects.
Recommended Uses:
If appropriate, teachers can assign the texts for class. The students can download as a .pdf, EBook. Some books can be read online. The books can be used as required reading, to supplement course material, or for an individual research project.
Technical Requirements:
PDF and ePUB; works with Bowsers: Safari, FIreFox, IE (version 9 and up) and Google Chrome; Dolphin (Android devices); UC Browser (Android Devices)
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The Open Textbook initiative aims to provide high quality academic books for teachers and students with little or no cost.
Target Student Population:
These are college level texts that can be also be used for Advanced Placement classes. The material is designed for college students enrolled in various general education courses, covering topics from movie editing to web development.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
For the .pdf or the EBook students must have a computer that can download files, but many of the books, but not all, can also read online without downloading. Some books have a link to bookstores where the printed book can be purchased.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The books are written by SUNY faculty on a variety of topics. The site is currently being updated to include more books. The books undergo a peer review process. We reviewed several of the books and find them to be high quality, with sound pedagogical concepts.
Concerns:
None.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The cost of textbooks is a major barrier for many students' desire for higher education. These books are free for teachers and students.
SUNY also offers course hosting and development for $10 per student per term.
While the site is not a teaching tool, the textbooks can certainly be used as teaching tools. They can be integrated into the curriculum and pedagogy of a variety of disciplines. Upon reviewing several of the books, we found learning objectives, guiding questions and activities were included.
Concerns:
None.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site is easy to use. There are drop down menus to find the books that are available now and to search for books by author, subject, and SUNY affiliation. There is a point of contact which includes an email address and telephone number for technical support under the About tab.
The texts we looked at were easy to read online, well-formatted and educationally sound.
Concerns:
Books can not be searched by typing the title's name into a search box. The books are listed under the Available Now tab. The learner has to scroll through each title individually. This will become cumbersome when more books are added to the site.
Other Issues and Comments:
Excellent site. We look forward to the addition of more texts.
Creative Commons:
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