User:Vtaylor/Computers and Society/18m Open Textbooks

5. TOPIC: Open Textbooks 14 14 unread replies. 25 25 replies. No message Search entries or author Filter replies by unread Show deleted replies Reply Reply to Main Discussion

Collapse Subdiscussion Johnathan Bounleuth Johnathan Bounleuth Jul 11, 2018 Jul 11 at 10:46am

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Art_History (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

I choose this online textbook because honestly never even knew of Wikibooks, which is quite fascinating. During my free time I'll have to look through the site to see what they have available for the consumer. When it comes to online textbooks, I highly suggest them. If you are able to download a PDF version of the textbook, it's game over because those are the best ones. You have a saved filed of the textbook, whenever you have access to your electronic device and the glossary and bookmarks allow you to navigate through the pages with ease. In my Astronomy class that I'm taking at De Anza for the summer, my professor actually gave us a link to a free online textbook. I would say that online textbooks are being accepted because not everyone has the same financial background. This gives people the opportunity to at least be on the same page in class without hurting the wallet.

https://openstax.org/details/books/astronomy (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

This is the textbook that we use in our Astro 4 classroom, free to view on the site and free to download. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Valerie Taylor Valerie Taylor Jul 12, 2018 Jul 12 at 2:05pm

Thanks for the link to the Astronomy textbook.

..vt   Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Ana Alfaro Ana Alfaro Monday Jul 16 at 8:41pm

https://cnx.org/contents/R21GFBYj@21.2:8gAhyfRY@23/Sound-Reasoning--A-New-Way-to- (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

WOW! Just by reading these few words, I want to learn more about this class. The idea of "seeing" music as a living person blew my mind. It's true most of our music choices depends on if our friends or family like it. This class would let people be a little more independent when making choices, not just for music. Digital books are good for people who are always on the go or on a tight budget. Even though nothing will replace a hardcover textbook that you can make your own with side notes or creases in the spine, there is a lot going for digital copies. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Marvin Buruca Canales Marvin Buruca Canales Monday Jul 16 at 11:38pm

I used the open textbook titled "Inferential Statistics and Probability-A Holistic Approach." by Professor Maurice A. Geraghty(Professor Mo) for my statistics class in spring quarter this year. It was an excellent resource to consult for examples and reviewing lessons. I post the link to the book below.

http://nebula2.deanza.edu/~mo/holistic/HolisticStatisticsText.pdf (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

For the open textbooks recommended, I would choose "How To Think Like A Computer Scientist: Learning with Python 3" by Peter Wentworth, Jeffrey Elkner, Allen B. Downey, and Chris Meyers. This book focuses on problem solving and critical thinking and not merely in syntax of the programming language. I think this book will help me to improve my skills for problem solving. Edited by Marvin Buruca Canales on Jul 16 at 11:39pm Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Saurabhjit Singh Saurabhjit Singh Tuesday Jul 17 at 11:30am

For my math class I am taking next quarter which is Math 10 I will be using this book (PDF link) http://nebula2.deanza.edu/~mo/holistic/HolisticStatisticsText.pdf (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. . I am looking forward to take this class next quarter. I really want to know what statistics and probability is about. I know it has something to do with chances but that is all I know. I am really curious to find out what it is about. I have taken math classes in De Anza before but this topic will be new to me. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Jeonghyeon Yu Jeonghyeon Yu Tuesday Jul 17 at 9:23pm

5. TOPIC: Open Textbooks

Picked one for a topic of interest to me. Aveteca

https://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=316374 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.I think I would like to use a book like open books because there is difference in cost between published textbooks which is really important to me. The cheaper, the better. Unfortunately, I have naver seen any of my instructors using these books in class. But, I hope they would use them more.

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Collapse Subdiscussion Valerie Taylor Valerie Taylor Wednesday Jul 18 at 7:08am

You are in luck!

DeAnza has started a new program to encourage faculty to use free or low-cost (under $50) course material. Faculty can now apply to have these designations associated with their courses. This information should be in the DeAnza course catalog in the next semester.

My CIS2 classes have relied on online resources for several years. Other than including the information in the Syllabus, there was no way to let students know about it. This is about to change!

..vt   Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Michael Carson Michael Carson Wednesday Jul 18 at 1:52pm

https://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=82491

I would not have a problem these online books program seems to do a great job of explaining the 3 basic financial statements. The material is broken down by financial report and then again into an overview, explanation, and review quiz. Anytime you can save money it a good thing for me. From what I can see it offers everything that you would find in a textbook. Just viewing, it seems to be very receptive and quickly picked up the importance of each financial statement and how to use them. So far, we are not using these online textbooks in any of my current classes.

Two thumbs up! Edited by Michael Carson on Jul 18 at 1:54pm Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion David Owens David Owens Wednesday Jul 18 at 2:02pm

I chose Business//Exploring Business

It took me to https://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=432515 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

http://open.lib.umn.edu/exploringbusiness/chapter/1-1-introduction/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

I think this is a wonderful idea, unfortunely all text book used for classes are not on these free websites. Yes I would use a book like this if it is also searchable to find answer to questions. The cost between these textbooks and published ones are very important to me. I am on disability fixed income and I appreciate all the help with financing. I have had one professor use open textbooks. I found another site also saylor.org that have the textbooks also. Most I try to rent my books online from Vitalsource. They are very reasonable. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Oliver Loveday Oliver Loveday Wednesday Jul 18 at 2:06pm

https://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=1068705 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

I chose this open textbook because it is about the American Government and I feel like there are a lot of things I don't know about in this government. Whenever I hear political terms or anything with the government, my brain tunes out because I have no idea about the subject. Difference of cost to me is very important because if you don't receive financial aid, you not only have to pay a lot for classes, you have to buy the books and materials. Having low cost or free text books makes everything easier for me and currently no other class I am taking is offering an open textbook. In fact I dropped a science class because the book was 84$. That was after I already paid like 450$ for my classes. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Berah Paule Cyndy Yao Berah Paule Cyndy Yao Wednesday Jul 18 at 9:22pm

https://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Stand-Up-Speak-Out-The-Practice-and-Ethics-of-Public-Speaking.pdf (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Honestly, I am not a big fan of online/ e-book, I rather have an hardcover copy than one in my Ipad, I don't know why but it is more easier for me to understand when I can touch and sometimes write my ideas directly on the paper than when it is electronic. I remember this book from my friend, she had to use it for her public speaking class at De Anza. This book Stand Up and Speak focuses on helping students become more seasoned and polished public speakers and it emphasis on ethics in communication. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Nicolle Ayon Nicolle Ayon Wednesday Jul 18 at 10:19pm

https://open.bccampus.ca/find-open-textbooks/?uuid=8390d51e-0efe-493c-881c-cf86852a612f (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

This is the open textbook for Introduction to Psychology. I really like the format because it's easy to read, you can click on links, and since it is online, you can look up stuff you don't know right away. I am actually taking Psych 1 right now and I wish the professor used an open textbook instead of having his students pay for access to a textbook on canvas that I'm pretty sure we don't even get to keep. To me, costs matters because college is expensive as it is, and I would usually opt for the free or cheaper e-book over a physical textbook. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Adam Rubin Adam Rubin Wednesday Jul 18 at 11:24pm

I looked at the cognitive development in childhood book, but this appeared to be more of an overview than a specific subject dive. It did provide citations for all its statements, though, so you could do some self-directed research quite easily. If these books are at the level of quality as this overview, then I think they would be great resources - however, I know many college classes, especially outside of 'hard' sciences, require specific papers or books written by the chosen professor, so there would be some politics to manage first.

Aside from the brevity, these books seem to be about the same as the textbooks, with the added bonus of being on the internet, and thus easily editable, and being under creative commons, allowing you to pass it on with credit given. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Ryan Thompson Ryan Thompson Yesterday Jul 19 at 12:11am

https://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=723149 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

The free online book I found was Understanding Media and Social Culture- An Introduction to Mass Communication. This topic is interesting for it relates to this class. This class is just a more specific example of the book. I could see myself using a book like this. I hope these sites where we can have many free or cheaper alternatives for school books becomes a huge trend. I absolutely hate when I have to spend so much money on a book that is 'required' for a class and we hardly use it. Also when buying used books you would think the prices would be significantly lower, but I find that used books are still relatively marked up high. I hope more professors push towards free e-books. The only time I ever experience online books in my classes are with math classes using Webassign. Webassign has a reasonable $30 fee for the book and homework for one quarter. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Andrew Gillis Andrew Gillis Yesterday Jul 19 at 1:44am

https://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=424478 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

I think looking at the website they offer a great deal of books to cover many of the core classes needed. I looked around and found a couple where the information was not there but the books that were looked good. I think often books feel over priced and having to have a physical copy is far easier to deal with, so I am a fan of online books. I am taking a Human Relations in business class the teacher has given a link to the online book and it has been great to be able to reference the book on my computer. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Yoin Wai Tse Yoin Wai Tse Yesterday Jul 19 at 4:46am

https://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=1070151 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

This is the open textbook for chemistry, I chose this because digital version of book are easy to carry unlike the actual book of chemistry we need in De Anza. If we need everything well-prepared for our classes, we will have a shoulder pain and a huge loss of money, adding that the book is heavy and thick, meaning it is also not easy to flip from pages to pages and the words are small. In other words, it still inconvenient even if the pages are detachable. Therefore, it is resulted that not many of the students actually read the textbook for exam and having it doesn’t guaranteed an “A” for the chemistry class. Compare to the open textbooks, it makes life of college students a lot more easier as we are free of the concern of the cost and the need to carry it. There are indeed professors who are using open textbooks for their course, one of them is Christopher Jackson from history department and the source that he used was from OpenStax. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Megan Brooks Megan Brooks Yesterday Jul 19 at 3:12pm

"Foundations of Business Law and the Legal Environment"

https://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=619796 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

"This is a free, online textbook offered by Saylor Foundation. Mayer, Warner, Siedel and Lieberman's Foundations of Business Law and the Legal Environment is an up-to-date textbook with comprehensive coverage of legal and regulatory issues for your introductory Legal Environment or Business Law course. The text is organized to permit instructors to tailor the materials to their particular approach. The authors take special care to engage students by relating law to everyday events with which they are already familiar with their clear, concise and readable style. Business Law and the Legal Environment provides students with context and essential concepts across a broad range of legal issues with which managers and business executives must grapple."

I have had a few professors in the past who used an e-textbook for the course, but none in recent memory. The cost is VERY important to me, and a professor that is sensitive to the student financial struggle is a good professor in my eyes.

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Collapse Subdiscussion Valerie Taylor Valerie Taylor Yesterday Jul 19 at 5:58pm

How much is “reasonable” for course materials?

DeAnza is staring a program to highlight courses as zero-cost or low-cost (under $50) for course materials. Is low-cost ok?

..vt

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Collapse Subdiscussion Barish Arslan Barish Arslan Yesterday Jul 19 at 8:34pm

I think there are many factors when it comes to the reasonability of the price of course materials. For one, I would definitely rather spend money on a textbook directly related to my major than for a GE, because even if I am done with all the courses that need it, it could come in handy later in life. If the book is a comprehensive book that someone can use for multiple courses, such as my Calculus book which will be acceptable for all 3 of the Calc courses I have to take, or my C++ book that again can be used for all 3 of the required courses, it makes it more likely for a student to spend money on it.

I've dropped classes because of the ridiculous price of textbooks, so it is extremely important for instructors to realize the financial situation of their students. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Barish Arslan Barish Arslan Yesterday Jul 19 at 8:28pm

http://www.openbookproject.net/thinkcs/python/english3e/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Learning with Python 3

I actually used this book for my Intro to Python class. It really helped clear up some of the concepts that I was having a hard time understanding from my C++ classes, as they have many common concepts, just in different languages. I think it is a really well written book that allowed me to master the basics and move on to more intermediate concepts. Learning is learning, so the cost of the textbook is a major factor. I don't make much money and it is hard to drop hundreds of bucks on a random book for a GE class that I probably won't ever use again, so I think it is great that we have books like this that allow a wider audience the chance to learn. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Alexandro Carrasco Alexandro Carrasco Yesterday Jul 19 at 8:42pm https://www.saylor.org/site/textbooks/Exploring%20Business.pdf

I looked thru the intro to Business and found the eBook, “Exploring business” reading the chapter 1 got me hooked as I’m very interested in Apple and its history. As far as the book goes, although I’m very into technology (iPhone, iPad) I would rather prefer a hard copy rather than eBook. eBooks In iPads do have a lot of benefits and tools to read the book and mark it, although once the battery reaches 0% all of those are gone. While hard copy’s wont, Sadly, many classrooms to require hard copy’s since some don’t allow electronics out in classes. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Sonika Rajesh Sonika Rajesh Yesterday Jul 19 at 11:03pm

https://www.textbookequity.org/tbq-editors-accounting-principles-a-business-perspective-financial-accounting-chapt-9-18/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

This textbook seems exactly as it would if it was a hardcopy, it is just online. I would use a book like this, there really is not much difference that I see between an online copy and a hard copy. Hardcopies are very expensive to, but the online copy is much cheaper compared to the hardcopy. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Sahiti Chilukuri Sahiti Chilukuri Yesterday Jul 19 at 11:06pm

https://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=725408 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

I think I would like to use this book or a book similar to it in this format for many reasons. It seems very organized according to each topic and chapter that is covers so if you want to go somewhere you can easily press on that topic. It would be nice if more classes could use these books because it could decrease the extra weight of carrying a full textbook. Also sometimes textbooks can get expensive so using the less expensive online textbooks can be helpful. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Jenny Liu Jenny Liu Yesterday Jul 19 at 11:24pm

https://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=342844 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

I would definitely use an open textbook, if it explained things as well as a published textbook. I think the fact that textbooks can cost hundreds of dollars is ridiculous, and the more freedom of information, the better. None of my teachers are using an open textbook right now, but sometimes I can find PDFs of textbooks online. Reply Reply to Comment

Collapse Subdiscussion Ilan Ilan 1:05am Jul 20 at 1:05am

Book about: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs

http://mitpress.mit.edu/sites/default/files/sicp/full-text/book/book.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

The book itself looks like it is containing good material and structure, although, since it is HTML (web page) based it lacks the design and packaging of a book in PDF format which is much better. I do an extensive use of e-books in my study so I have developed my own likes and dislikes about e-books. All things considered I think this free ebooks resource is a good resource for free knowledge.