Open educational resources or traditional textbooks?
3 experts weigh in

An August 15, 2017 article in the Lansing State Journal, “LCC takes aim at pricey textbooks, offers free course materials”, shared a decision by Lansing Community College to offer students freely available open educational resources (OER) rather than traditional textbooks during the fall 2017 semester. Sixty-four professors in 24 courses will be taking part in the initiative.

The decision to use OER materials, said Regina Gong, a librarian and open educational resources project manager at LCC, was based on the College’s desire to reduce the “cost for incoming students who have to take introductory courses before moving on to higher end classes.”

In a recent discussion about the article in TAA’s LinkedIn group, three experts weighed in on LCC’s OER initiative, answering the question: “How many of you are working at schools considering or adopting this model? Thoughts?”

Open educational resources or traditional textbooks?
3 experts weigh in Read More

Promote Your Scholarship via Podcasting
TAA webinar 11/6 & 13

Podcasting is becoming an increasingly popular method of sharing content, but many authors don’t know how to get started. Join us Monday, November 6 & 13 from 3-4 p.m. ET for “Promoting Your Scholarship via Podcasting (It’s Easier Than You Think!)”, a two-part webinar series facilitated by book author and podcaster Katie Linder.  You’ll learn about the tools you need to launch a podcast as well as tips and strategies for how to promote your work through this creative medium.

Promote Your Scholarship via Podcasting
TAA webinar 11/6 & 13 Read More

Member Spotlight: Dr. Olga Zbarskaya

TAA member Dr. Olga Zbarskaya, OZCREDO President, is both a textbook and academic author. Her most recent publications include Brainstorm!: Practice for Unrestricted Imagination and Original Thought and Mind Booster Art.

What are you currently working on?
I just finished the children’s book/textbook on creative thinking Unbelievable Adventures of Dr. Credo. Parents and educators alike will appreciate this book for the way it creates a fun learning experience involving technology, astrology, physics, and even psychology, making it an ideal complement to many school lessons and a great addition to classroom libraries. I also founded OZCREDO: Center for Creative Thinking and Unlimited Possibilities, a consulting company that provides comprehensive tools, training, workshops, and coaching on creative decision-making and problem solving.

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Learn how to design a web presence for your book – TAA webinar Part 2 – 10/17

Your book’s website is the only tool that works around the clock to promote your book, but sometimes the web presence provided by a publisher is… underwhelming. Join us Tuesday, October 10 & 17 from 3-4 p.m. ET for “Designing a Web Presence for Your Book (Beyond the Publisher’s Website)”, a two-part webinar series facilitated by book author Katie Linder, you’ll learn how to create a web presence for your book that highlights its key features, bonus materials, purchasing options, and more.

Learn how to design a web presence for your book – TAA webinar Part 2 – 10/17 Read More

Apply for an academic or textbook writing grant from TAA

TAA offers two forms of grants to assist members and non-members with some of the expenses related to publishing their academic works and textbooks.

Publication Grants provide reimbursement for eligible expenses directly related to bringing an academic book, textbook, or journal article to publication. Contract Review Grants reimburse eligible expenses for legal review when you have a contract offer for a textbook or academic monograph or other scholarly work that includes royalty arrangements. The application deadline is October 31.

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TAA signs on to Copyright Alliance letter seeking changes to copyright provisions of NAFTA agreement

The Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA) was one of 19 groups to sign on to a letter from the Copyright Alliance to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer asking him to “modernize the copyright provisions of the NAFTA agreement for the digital age and to establish a template for future agreements.” Meetings to renegotiate the NAFTA agreement began August 16, 2017.

“The internet’s global reach has made copyright protections and enforcement increasingly important to free trade agreements,” states the letter.

TAA signs on to Copyright Alliance letter seeking changes to copyright provisions of NAFTA agreement Read More