OPEN SOURCE TEXTBOOKS

Publisher created textbooks

are limited,

and difficult to update

trying to meet needs

with a single text

OPEN SOURCE

available in digital format

open license

meaning that

open source textbooks

can be accessed

or

Open source textbooks are…

ECONOMICAL

most sources are free

Anoka-Hennepin School District

probability and statistics

Probability and Statistics

$200,000

chose to use open source text

cost $25,000

what did $25,000 buy?

1000

Digital access was provided

online

CDs

PDF and ePUB files allowed students to use

$175,000

ADAPTABLE

vs.

publishers believe that they best

at reaching

students

and teaching

standards

broad materials

open source text is customizable

can be focused on

district curriculum

Teachers can

create their own textbook

or begin with one that is already assembled

start with one of CK-12’s free FlexBooks,

+-

Anoka-Hennepin School District

Added more sample problems

publishers are skilled in writing textbooks based on standards,

teachers are skilled in knowing the needs of the individuals

 

TOOLS FOR DIFFERENTIATION

+-

open source superior for differentiation

Students vary in…

readiness

interest

how they learn best

open source text can be modified

in ways that address all three

shifting grade level

adjusting for reading ability

special geographic or cultural focus

student interests

open source materials are better

Edyburn raises important questions:

“Why

are states and districts adopting textbooks that are not accessible when they know that …

10% of students have disabilities

and will not be able to access the curriculum in this format?

50% of the students who are not reading at grade

level cannot independently read the textbooks?

How do these behaviors illustrate

that schools are making good- faith efforts

to provide

each child with a free, appropriate public education?”

(Edyburn , 2008, pp. 63-64).

To best meet the needs of all students

we must have (legal) options for customizing text

OPEN SOURCE TEXTBOOKS

Economical Adaptable Tools for Differentiation

ResourcesCK-12 Foundation. (2012). Retrieved July 20, 2012, from CK-12: http://www.ck12.orgEdyburn, D. L. (2008). Research and practice. Journal of Special Education Technology, 23(4), 62-65. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/228485957?accountid=1230McGraw Hill . (2012). McGraw Hill Education. Retrieved July 20, 2012, from The McGraw Hill Companies : http://www.mheducation.com/home/index.shtmlTomlinson, C. (1999). The differentiated classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.Trotter, A. (2008). Educators assess 'open content' movement. Education Week, 27(43), 8-8, 9. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/202756070?accountid=1230   

Pictures:

Microsoft Clip Arthttp://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewstones/45418

73780/http://www.flickr.com/photos/30691679@N07/4427206435/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gadjo/4379290699/http://www.flickr.com/photos/woordenaar/7134707689/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rychlepozicky/4845979634/

http://questgarden.com/102/80/0/100505170056/index.htm

http://www.tamcec.org/jset/