Open access textbooks: Opportunities and challenges

King Sing CHEUNG, K. S. Yuen, K. C. Li, Yuen Mei TSANG, Alex Wong

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Different from traditional textbooks, open access textbooks are by nature open education resources that are free to use and can be delivered in electronic or printed form. Not only that the development of open access textbooks is cost-effective, the continuous revisions and updates can be made efficiently. Open access textbooks also allow easy adaptation to cater for the students' learning differences. However, for the successful adoption of open access textbooks, a number of challenges need to be overcome, such as on soliciting contributors of textbook contents, assuring the quality of textbooks, and establishing a culture of sharing education resources. This paper investigates these opportunities and challenges, and proposes a solution for the implementation and sustainable development of open access textbooks in Hong Kong. Some overseas successful projects are referenced and discussed. It is believed that open access textbooks would effectively resolve the pressing issues of high price and frequent revisions of textbooks, while offering many pedagogical advantages.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEngaging Learners Through Emerging Technologies - International Conference on ICT in Teaching and Learning, ICT 2012, Proceedings
Pages201-210
Number of pages10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Event2012 International Conference on ICT in Teaching and Learning, ICT 2012 - Hong Kong, China
Duration: 4 Jul 20126 Jul 2012

Publication series

NameCommunications in Computer and Information Science
Volume302 CCIS
ISSN (Print)1865-0929

Conference

Conference2012 International Conference on ICT in Teaching and Learning, ICT 2012
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHong Kong
Period4/07/126/07/12

Keywords

  • e-learning
  • open access textbook
  • open education resource
  • textbook development

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