Open Source Textbook For Computer Literacy? 95
dcollins writes "The college where I work has decided to forego ordering a textbook for the computer class that I teach this fall. Does anyone know of a free, open-source textbook for basic computer literacy concepts (overview of hardware, software, operating systems, and file systems)?"
No need (Score:1, Insightful)
If you are going to teach, then a text book is redundant. Students only need to study from their notes, otherwise a library should suffice for extra curricular learning.
"Open Source" (Score:2, Insightful)
I guess free/open concept has been hijacked into becoming free/cheap. I don't think that was the point at all.
Anyway, if you want "cheap" option, cobbling together various Wikipedia pages may be a feasible option?
Open source textbook (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:You could always write one... (Score:4, Insightful)
Source? (Score:3, Insightful)
What does "source" mean when you say open source? If you mean creative commons or some other open licensing scheme, don't refer to it as "source", which specifically refers to software.
If you want a really high level overview from a source with an open licensing scheme, Wikipedia is probably good enough. Wikipedia actually has very good coverage of basic computing concepts. I realize that is a bit unprofessional though, but any open source will potentially have the same issues that Wikipedia does.
Poor Students (Score:3, Insightful)
You will never be able to get for free what you can get in a textbook. What book were you using before?
Good computer concepts textbooks are updated yearly or every other year to incorporate the latest technology. For example, 2 years ago you could buy an up-to-date book that included floppy drives, but no USB flash drive coverage. But today, a modern book would not include floppies but include flash drives. One example of hundreds.
A purchased textbook includes exercises, marginal elements that challenge students in a number of ways, copious instructor materials, supporting Web sites, and assessment software. You will NEVER find such a complete, up-to-date replacement for free. Good luck trying, though. Your school is doing both its instructors and students a disservice.
These days, textbook companies do quite a bit of work for instructors. Modern instructors of such computer concepts courses do not want to do grading, write exercises, and, god forbid, create their own lecture. They want it spoon fed, and textbook companies do that if you want it.
Just because students (and young instructors) have gotten "free" digital entertainment does not mean that this concept translates to educational material. I see so many young instructors who grew up on Napster now trying to transfer that experience to almost all published material. I'm not saying they want to steal content, just get high-quality for free. How sad. Do you next expect your students to ask you to lecture for free as well?
Re:You could always write one... (Score:3, Insightful)
I need more info (Score:3, Insightful)
Do you have a syllabus?
A description of where these people are going to be starting and what standard you want to bring them up to would be handy.
Do they need a description of how to use a mouse?
How many classes are going to be devoted to this?
How long are the classes?
Re:"Open Source" (Score:2, Insightful)
The timing of this question one month before classes start suggests that the department or instructor missed the bookstore's deadline to order sufficient copies for sale in September, due to unexpected increases in enrollment, recently discovered issues with the old text, or to lack of administrative support/orientation to a new or sessional instructor who would be expected to adhere to bookstore or publisher/distributor deadlines.
Also, university bookstores are increasingly encouraged to operate as profitable or self-sustaining business units, putting other objectives in front of servicing students and faculty. Ordering and shelving a low/high number of copies on a rush basis may not be sufficiently profitable at the margins involved.
Re:You could always write one... (Score:3, Insightful)
As much as I like the idea of free textbooks, there are two things that bother me:
1. Why are we calling them "open source"? All books are open source, by definition. They may not be free-as-in-freedom, and probably not even in digital form, but all the valuable parts are open source.
2. I don't really think free-as-in-freedom digital textbooks are that high of a priority. The analog versions are quite free. You can share them with a friend legally, and many people do. There are even institutions dedicated for this specific purpose. Additionally, books are quite cheap. I bought at least 5 books recently which would be considered textbooks (I just wanted to read them) and they probably averaged just over $20 including shipping. The average MSRP was probably around $120. Why so cheap? Because I'm willing to purchase a "like-new" book rather than a new book, and I might even be willing to (gasp) purchase one edition earlier than the most current. I'm also willing to wait a week for shipping.
So, it's not like knowledge is being held captive here. There's a complaint that public schools and college professors tend to do whatever the publishers tell them to do (Why not? It's not like they're spending their own money.), which is valid. However, does the presence of a free textbook really change matters?
Again, I like the idea of a free textbook, but I'm not sure it's really a big deal. Free software on phones is orders of magnitude more important.
I suppose the equation might be different in poor countries where the cost of printing is prohibitive. However, computers might also not be as available, so I still don't see a major difference.