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Questions and Answers
What is one of the criticisms faced by traditional textbooks?
How do open textbooks and online resources address the issue of accessibility?
What was the main focus of the MCom program at BYU when creating their textbook?
What design feature did the MCom team prioritize in their textbook creation?
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Why did the MCom team emphasize illustrations and graphics in their textbook?
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What did the MCom team recognize as a crucial need regarding content in their textbook?
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What is one of the key aspects of textbook content that has become critical?
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How often did the authors plan to review overarching topics and design of their textbook?
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What does creating custom course content resources involve?
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Why is focusing on inclusivity in textbook content important?
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What is one advantage of open textbooks and online resources mentioned in the text?
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How do educators benefit from embracing changes in textbook content, according to the text?
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Study Notes
Textbook Content: Evolution, Update, and Inclusivity
Textbooks have long been a cornerstone of education, providing a comprehensive overview of a subject's accumulated knowledge. However, traditional textbooks have faced criticism for high costs, outdated content, and lack of inclusivity. The advent of open textbooks and online resources has allowed for the creation of more accessible and inclusive content that can be easily updated and tailored to meet the needs of students and educators.
Open Textbooks and Online Resources
Open textbooks and online resources have gained popularity as alternatives to traditional textbooks. These resources are often free or low-cost, and they can be easily updated and customized to fit the specific needs of a course. The MCom team's experience at BYU demonstrates this, as they recognized an opportunity to demonstrate principles of effective communication through the creation of a concise, graphically rich, and audience-centric textbook.
Creating a Model Document
The MCom program at BYU aimed to create a textbook that not only served as a useful resource for students but also functioned as a model document, showcasing principles of effective communication. This meant that the textbook was designed to be visually appealing, engaging, and easy to navigate, with each page featuring an illustration or graphic to reinforce key principles.
Updating and Maintaining Content
The MCom team recognized the need for timely and relevant content. They planned a three-tiered approach to maintaining and updating their textbook, which included checking links and examples each semester, making textbook content adjustments and updating resources every year, and reviewing overarching topics and design every three years. This approach allowed them to keep the textbook current and responsive to changing needs and expectations.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
Inclusivity has become a critical aspect of textbook content. Making textbook content inclusive, particularly regarding religion, gender, and culture, is essential for promoting peace and human rights. This involves ensuring that the content reflects a variety of perspectives and voices, helping to foster understanding and respect for diversity.
Custom Course Content Resources
Creating custom course content resources from textbooks and open educational resources (OER) is another approach to providing more relevant and inclusive content. This involves tailoring resources to the specific needs of a course and integrating them into a customized learning experience. This can help to ensure that students are engaged with content that is directly relevant to their learning objectives.
In conclusion, textbook content has evolved to better meet the needs of students and educators. Open textbooks, online resources, and a focus on inclusivity have allowed for more accessible and relevant content that can be easily updated and tailored to specific courses. By embracing these changes, educators can provide a more effective and engaging learning experience for their students.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the evolution of textbook content, the importance of inclusivity, and the impact of open textbooks and online resources. Explore how textbooks are updated, made more engaging, and tailored to meet the needs of diverse learners.
