Flatworld Knowledge – Open Textbooks
Posted on October 16, 2008 by MatthewMarini
Filed Under Books, Resources, Students, Teaching, Uncategorized
In continuation with our series on open textbooks, I am very excited to introduce you all to Flatworld Knowledge. If you have yet to hear about this organization, let me tell you, it is a BIG deal! Like other sites we have discussed before, its model is similar, to make textbooks freely available to all. What makes Flatworld Knowledge different, however, its level of organization, and ambitious goals.
Between Jeff Shelstad and Eric Frank, over 30 years of experience in higher education publishing is brought to the table. These guys know how to get information out into the world. These guys know how to find and develop content, they know the world of both the student and the writers. Jeff Shelstad and Eric Frank know how to make open source a reality.
Other open source text sites, like those we have promoted before are great, really and truly. However, it seems, at least to me, that they cannot even be considered in the same breath as what is proposed by Flatworld Knowledge. I say “proposed” because as of this point in time, Flatworld Knowledge is still setting up shop, but a little more on that later. I believe that Flatworld’s philosophy is best stated on their site, where it reads:
“We preserve the best of the old – books by leading experts that are rigorously reviewed and developed to the highest standards. Then we flip it all on its head. Our books are free online. We offer convenient, low-cost choices for students – print, audio, by-the-chapter, and more. Our books are open for instructors to mix, mash, and make their own. Our books are the hub of a social learning network where students learn from the book and each other.
Flat World Knowledge. Because great minds are evenly distributed. Great textbooks are not. Until now…”
So right from the outset, Flatworld has a clear plan or acquiring material and developing it in the same manner as it would be if it were to be made into a commercial text. This model answers a lot of criticisms of traditional Open Source thinking regarding the quality of information. Then this material is made available for free online. Here though, is were Flatworld starts to get really interesting, from the word “go” Flatworld will be able to offer on demand printing (in black and white, or color for slightly greater cost) for students who would still prefer to have a hard copy of the text. Also, Flatword has previsions for students who would like audio versions of the text. On top of this is the social networking component, which effectively links anyone, anywhere who is studying the same topic, and provides a system by which these people can share are learn from each other.
So, Christmas for student, right? If your an instructor, don’t feel left out, that big present hiding behind the tree is all yours. Two words, “Adopt It.” After you (the instructor) have searched Flatworld’s data base, and found material pertinent to your course, you can “adopt it” and from here do with it as you wish. Add, subtract, edit on a word by word basis, find all associated supplements, order print off or have your unique version sent to the printers and made into books; make it your own.
So now, like me your saying, “This is amazing, it will change everything! How do I start!” Sadly, this is were I must deliver the devastating news that Flatworld Knowledge is not open to the public. Yet. January 2009, that is when Flatworld Knowledge goes live, and the revolution begins. That said, you can be assured that we will provide a comprehensive review at that time.
Until January, I strongly encourage you to visit Flatworld Knowledge, watch the videos on the main page, explore the site, and I guarantee you will see what has me so excited, and why I think Flatworld will be like nothing we have seen before.
In the future, the world is flat.
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Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo