Key aspects:

Customization for Specific Needs: Modifying an open textbook allows educators to adapt the content to better align with their course objectives and the unique needs of their students. This customization can include adding, removing, or rearranging chapters, sections, or examples.

 

Technical Skills: Educators need to be proficient with digital tools and software used for editing and formatting open textbooks. Familiarity with platforms like Pressbooks, Markdown, or HTML can be beneficial.

 

Content Knowledge: A deep understanding of the subject matter is essential to ensure that modifications are accurate and relevant. Educators should be able to critically evaluate the content and make informed decisions about what to include or exclude.

 

Peer Feedback: Ensuring the quality and accuracy of the modified content is crucial. Educators should conduct thorough reviews and seek feedback from peers to maintain high standards and ensure the information remains reliable and up-to-date.

 

Adhering to Licensing Requirements: When modifying an open textbook, it is important to respect the original licensing terms. Creative Commons licenses often allow for modifications, but educators must ensure they attribute the original authors and follow any specific conditions outlined in the license.

 

Collaborative Efforts: Modifying an open textbook can be a collaborative process involving multiple educators, subject matter experts, and students. This collaboration can lead to a richer and more diverse educational resource.

 

Continuous Improvement: The process of modifying an open textbook should be iterative. Educators should continuously seek feedback from students and peers, and make ongoing improvements to enhance the content and its effectiveness.

 

Sustainability and Resource Efficiency: Modifying open textbooks contributes to sustainability by reducing the need for new printed materials and making efficient use of non-renewable resources. This environmentally friendly approach supports the broader goals of sustainable education. By effectively modifying open textbooks, educators can create customized, high-quality educational resources that better serve their students and enhance the overall learning experience.  

 

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Modifying an Open Textbook or OER for Teaching

This activity invites you to explore the process of modifying open educational resources (OER) to create customized and impactful educational content. By analyzing existing OER and reflecting on your own teaching needs, you’ll develop a strategy for effective modification.

Step 1: Selecting an OER Resource

• • Choose an OER Resource: Select an open educational resource relevant to your teaching subject. This could be an open textbook, H5P exercise, digital process simulation, multimedia object, or any other OER.

Examples:

• OpenStax textbooks, BCcampus OpenEd resources, interactive H5P exercises, digital simulations from MERLOT, multimedia objects from OER Commons.

Step 2: Formulating a Goal/Objective

• • Define Your Goal: Formulate a clear goal or objective for which you plan to use a portion of the OER resource. Consider how this resource will enhance your teaching and benefit your students.

Example:

• “To provide an interactive simulation that helps students understand the process of photosynthesis in a more engaging and hands-on manner.”

Step 3: Determining the Nature of Modification

• • Identify the Modification Strategy: Determine the nature of the modification you plan to make. This could involve taking a portion from an existing OER, combining multiple resources, or adapting content to better fit your course objectives.

Examples:

• Taking a Portion: Extracting a specific chapter from an open textbook to use as a supplementary reading.
• Combining Resources: Integrating an H5P exercise with a digital simulation to create a comprehensive learning module.
• Adapting Content: Modifying multimedia objects to include localized examples relevant to your students.

Step 4: Understanding Authorship and Licensing Rules

Review Licensing Requirements: Ensure that your modifications adhere to the original licensing terms of the OER. Most OER are licensed under Creative Commons, which allows for modifications under certain conditions. Examples:

• Attribution (CC BY): You can modify the resource as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author.
• ShareAlike (CC BY-SA): You can modify the resource, but you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
• NonCommercial (CC BY-NC): You can modify the resource, but you cannot use it for commercial purposes.
• NoDerivatives (CC BY-ND): You cannot modify the resource; you can only use it as-is.

 

Step 5: Note on Authorship and Hosting Information

It is crucial to provide information about the author(s) and the hosting place of the OER you plan to use in a modified form. This ensures proper attribution, maintains the integrity of the original work, and allows others to trace the source and modifications made. Examples:

1. Textbook:

• Original Author: “Introduction to Sociology” by Heather Griffiths, Nathan Keirns, Eric Strayer, et al.
• Hosting Place: OpenStax, Rice University.
• Modified Version:

Griffiths, H., Keirns, N., Strayer, E., et al. (Year). Introduction to Sociology. OpenStax, Rice University. Adapted by [Your Name] for SOC101. Available at [Your Institution’s Repository URL].

2. Interactive Exercise:

• Original Author: “Interactive Math Exercises” by John Doe.
• Hosting Place: H5P.org.
• Modified Version:

Doe, J. (Year). Interactive Math Exercises. H5P.org. Adapted by [Your Name] for Algebra Focus. Available at [Your Institution’s LMS URL].

3. Digital Process Simulation:

• Original Author: “Photosynthesis Simulation” by Jane Smith.
• Hosting Place: MERLOT.
• Modified Version:

Smith, J. (Year). Photosynthesis Simulation. MERLOT. Adapted by [Your Name] for BIO101. Available at [Your Institution’s Digital Learning Platform URL].

6. Sharing and Discussion

• Share your notes: provide the URL of the selected OER, your formulated learning goal, your modification strategy, and the OER object licensing information with your peers.
• Provide Feedback: Provide constructive feedback on each other’s plans. Offer suggestions for improvement and share any additional resources or tips.

By completing this activity, you will gain practical experience in modifying open educational resources and develop strategies to create customized, high-quality educational content that better serves your students.

Resources

Using and Adapting OER to Support Teaching and Learning

Adapting, Creating & Sharing OER – Open Educational Resources: Basics

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