1. 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.

2. 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 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

3. 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 ( via Wikimedia Commons

4. 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 ( 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 -

5. Cost = major advantage
By Jericho [CC BY 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons

6. Example: change in books for a three-course sequence

7. 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 ( via Wikimedia Commons

8. (
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
/art/progs/3202/toparea_lod2.gif

9. 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 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

10. ‘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

11. 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.

12. 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.