Open Access
Not only is the intellectual content openly licensed and open access but the code for this site’s AI has also been made open source under the principle of civic science.
This AI-enhanced web-based textbook is designed with gold-level open access (OA) principles in mind by Alexa Alice Joubin. Research shows that interactive, video-centric platforms enhance the quality of collaboration and promote effective learning.
This website meets the criterion of Gold OA (open access), which means that the final published version is immediately and permanently, freely available online for anyone, anywhere to read, according to the Open Access Network. There are no financial, legal, or technical barriers to its end beneficiaries. The AI and the textbook are fully SOC2 compliant by protecting user’s privacy. Open Access is an “international movement that grants free and open online access to academic information” (open access.nl).
This project is distinct from commercial AI models such as ChatGPT. “Free tier” products are not open access. Google may appear to be free but it is a commercial venture.
This AI is built by educators for educators. It exemplifies civic science and inclusive pedagogy. It enhances participatory justice. It is completely free and not-for-profit.
Open Education Resources (OER) are an important form of public interest technology, technology that advances the public interest and promotes the public good. Its key benefits include:
- always up to date. This site is updated regularly to reflect latest research.
- multimodal access. AI-enhanced features provide access in multiple formats to support diverse learning styles and needs. It is compliant with WCAG 2.2 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
- global access. Learners can access this open education resource free of charge perpetually.
- scalability. Rapid, world-wide distribution and interoperable with other digital platforms with a Creative Commons license. Material remains relevant. Traditional textbooks or journals take months or even years to circulate.
- media-rich learning environment. Multimedia material bring course content to life.
Collaboration and knowledge sharing are key principles of academic research. Open licensing and open access enable students, educators, and researchers to do the following:
- Disseminate their findings to wider audiences
- Enhance the reproducibility of their research
- Maintain a high level of transparency and responsible research
- Build upon each other’s work and learn from each other
Openness is a culture that can democratize the creation and circulation of knowledge.
College and high school students as well as teachers are the anticipated audience for this project. They will have “day one access” and perpetual access to this website.
The web-based format is most appropriate this project due to the need to show multimedia contents. Traditional print textbooks are static and expensive. This website promotes equity and inclusion by offering universal design as well as multiple interpretations of contemporary culture.
This open education resource is designed with the principle of multimodal access. There are multiple pathways to the contents with plenty of cross-references. Click one of the thematic “tiles” on the homepage to access the contents in a non-linear fashion. Students can also navigate this site, in a more traditional manner, by way of drop-down menus that replicate the experience of leafing through a codex book.