Peer Review

OpenEDUC: Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education

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Reviewed:: Feb 14, 2018 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

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Content Quality:

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Overview:: Open textbooks was authored by faculty and published on the web with the support of an Round 2 ALG textbook Transformation Grant, which includes open source reading materials using objectives, suggested reading and resources. Open source is published on the GALILEO website, Georgia’s Virtual Library , an initiative of the University Systems of Georgia, which enables free online access to textbooks. Open textbooks are governed by Creative Commons licenses that enable users to download, customize or print the textbook without expressed written consent of the author. Due to the rising cost of printing Textbooks which are passed on to students, new commercial companies provide free access to the textbook content online, while charging lower prices for print products and supplemental services. This Open Text book Course Title: investigating Critical / Contemporary issues in Education is designed for an undergraduate Foundations of education Course. The website offers a map to show name of student, town, and state, or country. Additional features include a button for Frequent Questions, and directions to download the document, and a contact number for assistance. Also, an Accessibility Statement includes Structural makeup and Accessibility.
Type of Material:: Open (Access) Textbook
Recommended Uses:: Examples of recommended uses of this open text book includes an undergraduate foundation of education course settings in Higher Education at the undergraduate level. Also, the open textbook might be used as a graduate level education course to focus on historical perspective relative to foundations in education and to compare and contrast educational trends and issues today, which would reinforce critical thinking and application. Application of the course might include lectures in class and online learning environments, and Individual assignments.
Technical Requirements:: Download entire book as CGI file from this site.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: • Students will be able to observe and analyze critical educational issues influencing the social and political contexts of educational settings in Georgia and the United States. • Students will examine the teaching profession. • Students will examine the meaning of education and schooling in a diverse culture. • Students will examine the moral and ethical responsibilities of teaching. • Teachers will be able to access a free open-source book and materials for education courses.
Target Student Population:: Target populations might include undergraduate students, graduate students, Higher Education; college general education, technical and two year institutions.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: None

Content Quality

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Strengths:: The open text book course offers various ways to organize and revise the material such as renaming, remixing and redistributing. Also, specific tabs are included which offers a detailed description of the selected content. It summarizes concepts well. Each module is supported by research with reference links at the bottom of each page. The text is concise and readable.
Concerns:: None

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: Several outstanding features were identified during this review. For example, the flexibility of course content, class lectures, supporting online/hybrid/blended learning. Likewise, effective use of course content goes beyond text and rubric scores, as open textbooks fosters critical thinking and high-order thinking and accommodate multiple learning environments. The text clearly outlines issues in education by using a timeline as a visual representation. Clearly stated learning objectives are available for each module and guiding questions at the end of modules encourage critical thinking in learners.
Concerns:: • No prerequisite knowledge is needed for this website.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: The website for downloading the open text book is easy to use and might be adapted to various online learning environments. Also, labels and layout are visually distinctive. The material flows. Graphics are visually appealing and charts and graphs are engaging.
Concerns:: None

Other Issues and Comments:: Reviewers enjoyed this document’s ease of use. This e-book has a number of free resources included throughout, and appeals to critical and contemporary issues in education.
Creative Commons: