Open source textbooks are "compiled using copyright-free materials from a wide variety of sources and can be edited and updated immediately" (Agardy). Students would have to worry less about high costs associated with their higher level education, in addition to the tuition they (may) have to pay and for other miscellaneous expenses as well. Open source textbooks also allow for teachers across the nation to collaborate and share information that is constantly changing in every field as time passes.
Baruch does make use of social media accounts currently such as the school's official Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (for USG). However, in order to increase engagement and participation, there can be more giveaways advertised through these platforms. For example, there can be a special giveaway students can enter into, as long as they comment on a picture to answer "What has been your favorite moment as a Baruch student so far?" The more comments there are on media, the more likely it is for others to come across these posts.
There is also a virtual tour of the Baruch campus on our official website. However, the media is outdated and only in video format. It would be ideal if Baruch could develop an avatar character for the guest to walk through a simulated version of Baruch online, much like Second Life.
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Work(s) Cited:
Agardy, Andrea. "Open Source Textbook Program Expanding in Coming Months." Open Source Textbook Program Expanding in Coming Months. The Tullahoma Tennessee News, 7 Mar. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2016. <http://www.tullahomanews.com/open-source-textbook-program-expanding-in-coming-months/>.
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Work(s) Cited:
Agardy, Andrea. "Open Source Textbook Program Expanding in Coming Months." Open Source Textbook Program Expanding in Coming Months. The Tullahoma Tennessee News, 7 Mar. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2016. <http://www.tullahomanews.com/open-source-textbook-program-expanding-in-coming-months/>.
I agree with you that open source textbooks would be very helpful for the students. I am a transfer student, and in my previous school we could review/ see most of the books in the library from our laptops until we had an access (account) to the library. This system saved my grades so many times.
ReplyDeleteAs we know, many people work and go to school, and this is the reason why many of us do work at the papers/ homework at night, when the library is already closed and we simply do not have an access to the books. But it doesn't have to be this way; I agree with you, that open source textbooks would be very helpful and beneficial for all of us.