In January, we announced phase 3 of our Open Textbook Project with a request for instructors to create new open textbooks from scratch. The deadline for proposals is fast approaching: February 28.
There’s been lots of interest in the project and below are our top three questions we’ve received to date:
1. Will there be ancillary resources?
We recognize faculty really values ancillary resources that come with some traditionally published textbooks like banks of text questions, multimedia and PowerPoint decks. In some cases, these resources accompany our open textbooks. In cases where they do not exist, BCcampus sees creating them as part of our adaptation cycle.
Adaptation is meant to produce resources that better suit the learning and teaching needs in B.C. institutions. If ancillary resources are required to accomplish those goals, it makes sense to fund their creation.
2. How do you ensure quality?
We approach quality from a number of different fronts.
The process we established, which solicits reviews of our texts from faculty teaching in our province’s institutions, is vital to establishing quality.
We also use a 12 point rubric to evaluate quality, and display reviews of our BC Open Textbook Collection, openly, on our website.
These reviews also contribute to funded adaptations that help to improve the quality of a given resource.
We also provide resources like professional editors and instructional designers, so that faculty are able to focus their expertise on the subject area and develop high quality content, while the editors and designers ensure the text is pedagogically sound, logically presented, and free of errors.
3. Can I create my own textbook if my subject addresses one of the eligible subject areas listed in the proposal?
Yes! In fact, we have faculty, like Dr. Jhangiani, who adapted a textbook for his own use.
We want to encourage faculty to take ownership of these resources, working on adaptations and sharing them openly, as creating content from scratch. We are currently building resources to support this more independent work.