Open textbooks - OER Commons is a public digital library of open educational resources. Most are free in their electronic format, and $30-50 for the print version. Are any of your instructors using open textbooks in their classes? If so, which ones? In the Advanced search select Textbook (Material Type > Reading Materials > Textbook - left column near bottom). https://www.oercommons.org/advanced-search Look through the list of Open Textbooks and pick one for a topic of interest to you or for an actual class. Look through the textbook you selected. Would you use this textbook? Is the difference in cost between published textbooks and these open textbooks important to you? Post a link to the open textbook you select and your comments to the Open Textbooks discussion.
Anatomy and Physiology - Open Textbook
I selected an open textbook on Anatomy and Physiology, which aligns with my studies in this field. After looking through it, I think it covers the material well and would be a great resource. The cost difference between this free online textbook and published textbooks is definitely important to me, as it can save a lot of money. Open textbooks make education more accessible and affordable, which is a big benefit for students.
Reply from Phyu Phyu Thant
I have been taking anatomy an physiology class 40A, 40 B . 40C . All these 3 class I chose an open textbook on Anatomy and Physiology, which fits well with my studies. After looking through it, I think it covers the material clearly which is very useful. The cost difference is important to me because this free online book saves a lot of money compared to regular textbook. OpenStax offers textbooks across a variety of subjects, including math, Open textbooks make learning more affordable, I really like it. If I take CIS2 again I would prefer online text book which offer free access liked Openstax.
Reply from Adrian Munoz
American Government and Politics | OER CommonsLinks to an external site.
I found this textbook above after browsing around and after going through it briefly I would say it is quite useful and clear in what chapters there are and how to get to each chapter and sections. It is much more accessible and I would definitely use this textbook and found it to be important because most textbooks are quite pricey even if used and being able to save a little money is always good, thanks to this I don't have to stress about coming up with the funds to afford to get the textbook and worry about my grade possibly slipping without having it. It is honestly a great resource and I would use it.
Reply from Xianzheng Guo
Python for Everybody: Exploring Data in Python 3Links to an external site.
This book offers a practical approach to learning Python programming with a focus on data analysis. After browsing through it, I found it to be well-structured with clear explanations and examples, making it very accessible even for beginners. The fact that it’s freely available makes it even more appealing, especially considering the high cost of traditional textbooks as well as the quick advancements of Python APIs. For someone like me who values accessibility and affordability in learning materials, open textbooks like this are a great resource.
Reply from Jocelyn Chang
Throughout college, instructors always listed textbooks on their syllabus and would assign chapters to read before class. I've never bought any textbooks before because the majority are online and downloadable. I used to be able to download them on a website for free that I found on Tiktok called https://libgen.li/Links to an external site. . However, over the years, I got slightly suspicious of certain links and stopped downloading them because I was afraid of getting viruses. Some professors also required us to get their version of online textbooks because the homework is a part of the bundle and it would be accessible throughout the semester only.
Reply from Yusuf Eray Kuyumcu
found an open textbook titled "Introduction to Psychology" on OER Commonsy.
I would definitely consider using this textbook for my psychology class because it covers key concepts in a clear and accessible way. The cost difference between traditional textbooks and open textbooks is important to me; being able to access high-quality materials for free can significantly reduce my financial burden as a student.
Reply from Brian Rios Dorado
Topic: Open Textbooks
I'm currently taking COMM 1 and we are using this book.
If I had to do CIS 2 again, I would definitely prefer the Online readings as they would save me on student costs and the readings are typically curated by the teacher which help us students focus on what matters.
Reply from Nima Yousefi
The Foundations of Computation textbook which is available on OER Commons covers the essential concepts of computer science, including formal logic, automata theory, and computational models. It provides a mathematical approach to understanding computation, addressing topics such as formal languages, grammars, and the theory of computation. These topics are important for students who wish to dive deeper into the theoretical aspects of computer science and computation
https://oercommons.org/courses/principles-of-management-4Links to an external site.
The affordability of open textbooks is important, especially for students who often face high costs for textbooks.
Reply from Suliman Najm
I share the same opinion as many of my friends. If I had to retake CIS 2, I would definitely choose a free online textbook. I believe there's not much difference between the two options, and you can read it anywhere, whether you're on the bus or at a café, using your laptop or phone.
The topic I selected was '100 Instances of Open Body Language and Micro-expressions.' It was very well outlined with bullet points, the contents are well-structured and easy to understand.
https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/108306/overviewLinks to an external site.
Reply from Sinhye Kim
If I had to retake CIS 2, I would select either a free online textbook or online readings. Overall, online textbooks are good enough for general learning. I am taking several online courses this quarter, and all the textbooks are online. I found the “FRENCH 101 - French Language Skills for Absolute Beginners” helpful for learning basic language skills, and it's free. I recently paid over $100 for an online French textbook by McGraw Hill. I appreciate that my online book has specific features for the homework, but the cost is also an important factor for me.
https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/97990/overviewLinks to an external site.
Reply from Kyle Quan
I prefer online textbooks due to their ease of access and much easier transport. If I want to get some work done while on break at work, I no longer have to consider bringing the books and supplies I need - I can just pull it up on my phone or laptop. With my interest in marine biology, I selected a text that serves as an overview to many of the concepts I learned about in my classes.
https://oercommons.org/courses/a-student-s-guide-to-tropical-marine-biologyLinks to an external site.
Students collaborated on this project to create a guide to aspects of the course. Though most of the subjects are not in-depth studies, it contains many links to source material, and the sections are arranged in a reasonable way, from threats to the marine ecosystem to taxonomic families of the ocean. I would use this book as a starting point for deeper research.
Reply from Khin Yadanar Kyaw
If I were to take CIS2 again, I would prefer the free online textbook option for its accessibility. I enjoy online reading and using eBook formats, which allow me to highlight and take notes easily. This choice not only saves money but also fits my study habits better than traditional print options.
I found the textbook “Introduction to Sociology” on OER Commons, which covers key concepts, theories, and issues in sociology. The content is engaging and includes real-world examples, making it relevant for my sociology class.
https://www.oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/8355Links to an external site.
I would definitely use this textbook, as the ability to access it for free is a major advantage. The cost difference between traditional textbooks and open textbooks is very important to me, as it makes education more affordable and accessible.
Reply from Liang Guan
If I participate in CIS2 again, I will choose to use e-book or online reading option, because it allows anyone with Internet connection or reading equipment to easily access course materials. My previous experience was similar, using physical textbooks in class. However, I prefer digital resources because they are usually more convenient and accessible to everyone, regardless of financial constraints. The textbook I have chosen is called "Introduction to Chemistry", and I plan to use it to enhance my understanding of basic chemical concepts. Being able to download this book digitally is very beneficial as it makes it easier for those who may not be able to afford traditional textbooks to learn. I have found that online learning is more flexible and cost-effective, allowing me to acquire knowledge without worrying about the additional costs of physical books. https://oercommons.org/courses/1-introduction-to-chemistryLinks to an external site.
Reply from Vincent Tai
My preference if I was going to take CIS2 again would be ebooks or online reading because it makes it accessible to people that have access to the internet or a reading device. None of my teachers are using open textbooks in their class, they are using traditional textbook which is the physical book. The textbook I choose is titled 100 ideas for active learning, I would use this textbook tro better education myself on how to learn better. I think that having the ability top download it digitally is good because it gives access to people who don't have the money to be able to learn. I personally rather be able to gain knowledge online access because I don't have to worry about the cost of certain things. https://openpress.sussex.ac.uk/ideasforactivelearning Links to an external site.
This is the link for the textbook and it is able to be downloaded online for people to read.
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