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 open access principles in mind by Alexa Alice Joubin. Research shows that interactive, video-centric platforms enhance the quality of collaboration and promote effective learning.
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.
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.
- 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.