Open source textbooks: A new paradigm for the publication of textbooks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This work exposes a new paradigm for the creation and publication of textbooks: Open Source. The phrase Open Source is borrowed from the computer software industry; open source software is software which has been developed by many collaborators using the internet to produce a final product. The contributors receive no financial compensation, yet there have been many successful open source projects (Linux, OpenOffice, Apache, etc). Open source textbooks use a similar financial model; the authors and contributors receive no direct financial compensation for their work. The originator, or administrator, for a textbook would typically produce the first few chapters to establish a unified style for exposition, diagrams, exercises, etc. Others may submit contributions, small or large, to the originator who would then decide whether to accept the contributions. Contributors are listed in the produced work as primary author(s), co-authors, contributors, minor contributors, etc. according to the magnitude of their contribution. The produced work is available and free for users on the internet. This paper will provide justification for open source as an effective paradigm; it will also present some existing open source textbook projects, as well as the author's own open source textbook project.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)59-65
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of the Book
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Communication
  • History
  • Literature and Literary Theory
  • Library and Information Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Open source textbooks: A new paradigm for the publication of textbooks'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this