FAQs
How do I cite an open textbook?
Textbooks published by BCcampus will include citation and copyright information on the first page of the web book. Scroll down, past the Table of Contents, to the Metadata section. There, you’ll find the information you need to create a citation. Most books include a sample citation in APA style, which you can adapt to other styles as needed.
For more information on how to cite or reference an open textbook, see Textbook Citation in the Self-Publishing Guide.
Do I need permission to use material (text, image, video, etc.) from BCcampus Open Education textbooks and resources?
You do not need permission to use openly licensed materials; however, you may be required to provide attribution. Check the Metadata section on each web book’s home page to see the terms of the Creative Commons licence related to that book. Most textbooks in the B.C. Open Textbook Collection published by BCcampus also have a suggested attribution statement in the License section.
If you’d like to use images from textbooks in the collection, be sure to check the caption of each image and any attribution statements at the bottom of the page for additional licensing conditions that may apply. Images within a textbook are sometimes covered by a different CC licence than the textbook in which they are used. If no additional licensing conditions are indicated, then the images may be reused as per the terms of the CC BY 4.0 licence that applies to the textbook.
How do I order a print copy of an open textbook?
To order a print copy of an open textbook, find the book in the collection and select “Buy a print copy.”
For assistance, contact SFU Document Solutions at docsol@sfu.ca or 778-782-4160 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm Pacific Time).
What is an open licence?
An open licence, or open-copyright licence, grants permission to access, retain, reuse, redistribute, and build upon (remix and revise) a work with few or no restrictions. For more information, see Copyright and Open Licences in the Self-Publishing Guide.
How do I create or self-publish an open textbook?
You can find information about how to create and self-publish an open textbook in the BCcampus Self-Publishing Guide. This guide provides details on the preparation, planning, writing, publication, and maintenance of an open textbook.
Answer Guide / Knowledge Base
Directories, Guides, and Toolkits
You can browse all BCcampus support resources in the B.C. Open Textbook Collection or navigate to them directly below.
Create or Adapt OER
These resources are designed to assist those who are looking to create or adapt an open educational resource.
Accessibility Toolkit – 2nd Edition
Description: The Accessibility Toolkit – 2nd edition is a collaboration between BCcampus, Camosun College, and CAPER-BC that includes updates and new material such as how to write an accessibility statement.
Self-Publishing Guide
Description: The BCcampus Open Education Self-Publishing Guide is a reference for individuals or groups wanting to write and self-publish an open textbook. This guide provides details on the preparation, planning, writing, publication, and maintenance of an open textbook.
Pressbooks Guide
Description: The BCcampus Open Education Pressbooks Guide is for open textbook authors who want to use the Pressbooks writing platform to create a new book, or for instructors interested in customizing an existing open textbook. This support resource is for post-secondary faculty and staff working in British Columbia and the Yukon.
Adaptation Guide
Description: The BCcampus Open Education Adaptation Guide is a practical guide to adapting or revising open textbooks using the Pressbooks platform. Included are tips to revising this OER, how to use the Pressbooks publishing platform, and general information on open textbooks and other open educational resources (OER).
Use OER
These resources are designed for those who are looking to use an open educational resource in the classroom.
Adoption Guide – 2nd Edition
Description: The second edition is an updated and expanded version of the original adoption guide. The first sections address three distinct groups involved in open textbook adoption: instructors, post-secondary institutions, and students. The second—most comprehensive—section focuses on the operational aspects of adoption: surveying instructors about, tracking usage of, and reporting out about open textbooks (and other OER). The last “Learn More” part provides additional adoption information.
Print-on-Demand Guide
Description: The BCcampus Open Education Print-on-Demand Guide is an in-progress (open creation) practical manual on the what, why, and how of creating your own hard copy textbook of any openly licensed textbook found in the B.C. Open Textbook Collection.
Directories
The directories are designed to help you find information, whether that be research on open education, how a particular institution in B.C. is participating in open education, or other open educational resources.
Information Directory
Description: The Information Directory lays out current events, opinions, and OER investigations related to open education in four categories: blogs, books, news, and research.
Post-Secondary Directory
Descriptions: The BCcampus Open Education Post-Secondary Directory describes the ways in which each post-secondary institution in B.C. is participating in open education.
OER by Discipline Directory
Description: The BCcampus Open Education OER by Discipline Directory lists a wide range of open educational resources organized by discipline. It acts as a referatory where the name of the resource, a link to where it can be accessed, its licence, and then a short description are provided.
Canada’s Open Education InitiativesDescription: Open Education is growing across Canada. Find out more about groups and representatives in your province. |