eTextbook Institutional Publishing Service
Ebook & printed book publisher and companion websites
eTextbook Institutional Publishing Service
Ebook & printed book publisher and companion websites
About the Project
Between 2014 and 2018, Jisc Collections ran a national pilot project funding four project teams from UK higher education institutions (HEIs) to investigate the viability of publishing their own e-textbooks.
Four project teams – from the Universities of Liverpool, Nottingham, Highlands and Islands with Edinburgh Napier University, and University College London – received funding to:
- Publish two e-textbooks each
- Apply business, licensing and distribution models of their choice
- Collate information on the processes, challenges and technologies chosen
- Report back on the benefits to their students and their institution
The project, developed in direct response to the unsustainable models and high price of e-textbooks being made available to institutions, has been exploring alternative ways to create learning materials for students.
Lara Speicher from UCL Press explains that:
“Textbooks are very expensive for students to buy on top of their fees and living expenses, and buying large numbers of print textbooks is increasingly challenging for squeezed library budgets. And now these issues are starting to bite as textbook sales are in decline”.
There are now clear signs that an alternative approach is underway. In the US, OpenStax, developed by Rice University, is an innovative open access textbook platform and SUNY Open Textbooks, developed by the State University of New York Libraries and launched in 2012 has published over 20 textbooks with more forthcoming.
The latter is very much a community project and it is hoped that the outcomes of the institution as e-textbook will kickstart a similar approach in the UK leading to fresh approaches and sustainable models textbook publishing.
Furthermore, the advent of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) provides additional incentive for HEIs to raise the topic of institutionally produced textbooks higher on the agenda.
project partners:
some of our publications
Undertaking Your Research Project
Essential Guidance for Undergraduates and Postgraduates
If you are about to undertake a research project and in need of some guidance then this free companion website, accompanying the eTextbook on ‘Undertaking your research project’ is recommended for you. This useful book is not intended to be a comprehensive volume on research methods, but rather a short, practical guide with tips and suggested activities relating to key stages of the research process. A range of topics is covered, from planning your first steps in planning your research through to writing the final report. The book is available on Amazon.
Available to buy: printed book / Kindle ebook
How to Write a Research Dissertation
Essential Guidance in Getting Started for Undergraduates and Postgraduates
Available to buy: printed book / Kindle ebook
If you are about to embark on a research dissertation and in need of some guidance then this free companion website, accompanying the eTextbook on ‘How to write a research dissertation’ is for you. This easy-to-engage-with book is not intended to be an exhaustive treatise on dissertation-writing, but rather a short, practical guide with tips and suggested activities relating to key stages of the process. A range of topics is covered, from first steps in understanding research through to writing the final report.
Succession Planning in Community Land Trusts
Sustainability and volunteers in the third sector
Available to buy: printed book / Kindle ebook
This book explores the issues in relation to planning for the future in community land trusts by exploring the role and remit of the volunteers, particularly on trust boards but also across the third sector. The study was first published as a dissertation by the author as part of as MSc in Sustainable Rural Development at the University of the Highlands and Islands. It will be of interest to an individual or organisation heavily dependent on a volunteer workforce to function.
Announcements
New website
Welcome to our new website, we will be updating it with the books and ebooks that are published. Keep checking back for updates.
NEW: Bhutan: Ways of Learning and Teaching
The latest book from etips…
NEW: Succession Planning in Community Land Trusts
The latest book from etips…
SOME OF OUR AUTHORS
Keith Smyth
Professor of Pedagogy at University of the Highlands and Islands
Frank Rennie
Professor of Sustainable Rural Development, Assistant Principal of Lews Castle College, UHI
Rona J Campbell
Senior Development Manager at Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Dr Gareth Davies
Co-ordinator: PGT Tertiary & Higher Education Scheme
Amy Woolvin
Community Heritage Officer, TGLP
Matt Sillars
Lecturer in Psychology, Photography and Culture Studies at UHI Millennium Institute
Educational website design and ebook publishing by The Educational Development Unit
The Educational Development Unit supports learning at the University of the Highlands and Islands and beyond. We develop digital learning materials to meet the needs of modern learning where students join online; in the classroom; by video conference or a mix of these. The materials help student collaboration, develop independent learners and enhance the learning experience.
The EDU can aid teaching and non- teaching staff by offering support and services that will help increase student satisfaction and student attainment within the university. This fits in with the UHI Strategic theme to “Utilise the university’s expertise in blended delivery, supported by pedagogical research, to meet the learning, teaching and support needs and expectations of a diverse student body, studying in a wide variety of locations and contexts.
Since EDU was established in April 2011 the team has developed 30 projects, created more than 540 resources and worked with over 400 staff. Evidence of our contribution to the university has been highlighted in the positive comments from staff and students.
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Copyright 2020 – The University of the Highlands and Islands