24 Textbooks and OER Resources
Use OERs Whenever Possible
Instructors should avoid relying exclusively on expensive textbook packages. Course content needs to reflect the expertise of the course creator.
Where possible, IDs should work with subject area specialists in the library to identify OER and other free resources that can be used in the course in lieu of expensive textbooks.
- IUE – Beth South – eabrockm@iue.edu
- IUI – William Orme – orme@iupui
Some OER resources can be uploaded directly into Canvas as individual links within a module.
Advice from Chris Foley about textbooks
- Textbooks will be an important part of most courses.
- There is no universal preclusion about using an external textbook, but we want to have looked at other options that might be cheaper for students (e.g. OER or eText).
- Using “pre-prepared” assignments (e.g., test banks or case studies) is completely fine as long as they don’t incur extra costs to the student, are pedagogically sound, and match to course outcomes.
- The above is fine as long as the course includes curriculum and materials beyond just the text book. If it’s simply the text book and assignments then that starts to feel a lot like a correspondence course which IU does not offer and would be in violation of some financial aid regs.
Using an IU eText (when necessary)
Why IU eText vs. Buying Through the Bookstore?
- Cost of book is wrapped up into course fees, thus students who are using financial aid don’t have additional textbook costs
- Book is integrated with Canvas through Engage platform (additional materials remain on the publisher’s platform).
- Cost of book can be fully refunded if students drop the course early enough
Ordering eTexts
What is Needed to Place an Order
Courses with Active Students
The instructor who will be teaching the course should order the eText. If the person building the course isn’t the person who will be teaching it, the department’s IU eTexts coordinator can/should place the order. If there isn’t an eText coordinator, someone else (such as the instructor building the course) can be empowered to place the order, but only if they’ve received permission from that department’s Dean.
To order the correct book, the instructor will need the book ISBN and the course SIS (which can be found using iGPS). They will then visit the IU eText Portal to place their order.
Please note that it may take two overnight refreshes of the Student Information System (SIS) for a course to appear in the IU eTexts Order Tool.
Dates and Deadlines
Please visit this KB document to view deadlines which vary by campus. Note there are late ordering options.
What if I miss this deadline?
Don’t panic! There is still time to add an IU eText to your course. In order to do so, the instructor will need to:
- Submit a PDO (Post Deadline Order)
- Please note eTexts can’t be changed (removed) after the earlier deadlines, but they can be added fairly late in the build process. However, it’s best practice to get this done as early as possible.
How can I check whether an eText has already been ordered?
You can see the status of eTexts for your course using iGPS.
How can I check who the eText Coordinator is for a given department?
Consult the “Who is my eText Coordinator?” page in the eText Canvas site.
What if students are using the same book in two classes?
Students will be charged the eText fee for each section in which they enroll. However, even with this added fee, the cost for each student is still typically far lower than using a traditional book. Additionally, this fee covers their enrollment in any supplemental online tools being utilized by the instructor. Also keep in mind that for students who are relying on financial aid, this fee is rolled into their bursar total, and will be covered by their aid package(s).
Additional eText Resources
- For help with eTexts, contact etexthlp@iu.edu
- Consult an LMS integration specialist from the particular publishing company for support. A list of these integration options can be found on IU KB page for External Tools. with links to specific pages, resources, and contacts
- To read the Knowledge Base Article about IU eTexts, click here.