ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES The following slides will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using free, modified class materials compared to publisher materials. The slides were also designed to model a more visual way to present information.

Advantage shown with comparison of publisher materials (right) and instructor-prepared materials (left) Right: Publisher textbook with a lot of text – focus is on content and lower-level thinking skills with little to no focus on helping students learn how to learn. The book focuses on details students do not need at the 1000- or 2000-level, and they focus their attention on learning these at lower levels. Most questions within textbooks and supplements focus students on lower-level skills of memorization and understanding. Left: Free textbook modified to include essential information and questions focused on higher-level study skills, present information in other forms (tables), link to web sites for visuals and interactions, supplement with study tips and worksheets to help develop study strategies. Focused

Disadvantage – time It can take more time up front to find or modify free resources, but time is saved later when learning increases. Could help = resources such as better tools and assistance for finding resources (e.g., Creative Commons), copyright/fair use training By Hannes Grobe (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Technology Technology = advantage and disadvantage + more interactive, appeal to students who grew up with it new technology - need to keep current (in addition to discipline and pedagogy) digital divide – not all students have devices, Internet access at home, computers that support needed software, printers not enough support for students and faculty Could help: more support Mueller / MSC [CC BY 3.0 de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons "325disk" by Original uploader was Frotz at en.wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia; Transfer was stated to be made by User:King of Hearts.. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:325disk.jpg#mediaviewer/File:325disk.jpg

Cost = major advantage By Jericho [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Example: change in books for a three-course sequence

Current Can easily add to the textbook-like notes (for example, adding information about the Ebola outbreak) By CDC Global (Ebola virus) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], of Traumatic Encephalopathy [CC BY-SA 4.0 By Boston University Center for the Study via Wikimedia Commons Or adding information about sports-related head injuries http://www-tc.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline /art/progs/3202/toparea_lod2.gif

Relevant to Student’s Lives Dr. Charles Drew “went on to helm the American Red Cross blood bank. When the Armed Forces ordered that only Caucasian blood be given to soldiers, Drew protested and resigned” Quote from http://www.black-inventor.com/Dr-Charles-Drew.asp used in prepared notes Image By Harris and Ewing [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Relevant to Student’s Lives “William Harvey described [blood] in seventeenth-century Europe” Quote from Silverthorn Human Physiology textbook. Image By Daniel Mytens [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons To help create inclusive classrooms and increase success for all students, we can be aware of images and examples and help students see themselves in the material and field and make it relevant to their lives. Textbooks have been slow to change and are often focused on traditional college students Left: quote from textbook Right: quote from web to highlight an African American scientist – can link into developed materials

‘Sam has gained a few pounds and worries he will become a victim of the “freshman 15” – the 15 or so pounds gained by college students during the first year away from home.’ Quote from a textbook – example refers to freshman 15 and moving away from home for college In another textbooks, an analogy to Panama canal was made Quote from Grosvenor and Smolin Visualizing Nutrition textbook Photograph By Detroit Publishing Company (U.S. Library of Congress) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Image from: Innotata / Wikimedia Commons, via Wikimedia Commons Can Modify Names, examples and images can be added to reflect our students In modified materials – analogies can be more relevant to students’ lives (e.g., St. Anthony Main lock and dam in downtown Minneapolis) Nimo visited her grandfather and found him tired, confused, and breathing rapidly. She called the hospital and was told to bring him in right away. She then stayed to help translate for her grandfather.

ADVANTAGES Focus on Learning DISADVANTAGES Advantages outweigh disadvantages The main advantage is that the materials can focus on the learning rather than on content. It may take more time, but it is worth it.