When promoting your open textbook:

• For engagement tracking, don’t forget to include the DOI if you have one, or direct link to the textbook when promoting your textbook in all online posts.
• Altmetric Explorer can be used to track open textbook engagement if you include a suitable persistent identifier, such as a DOI link, in your posts. Make sure you have a personal user account for Altmetric Explorer.
• If the textbook is aligned with an Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), consider making it more visible by adding it to the Sustainability and Resilience 2030 Decadal Strategy portal. When completing the online form you will be prompted to upload a Tile (Image: max. sixe 25MB (.jpg, .jpeg, .png) or Video max. length <300 seconds and 1000MB).

Altmetrics

• If the open textbook includes a research component, promote your book online using the book DOI allocated to you by the Library, e.g., https://doi.org/10.26183/rdpk-9z71. Using the DOI will help your post be cited and improve your book’s attention, i.e., reach and impact. The Scholarly Publishing Consultant will organise a DOI for your open textbook.
• If the open textbook does not include a research component, i.e., the focus is on teaching and learning, then ***

In addition, use Altmetric Explorer to track Altmetrics (social media and other online activity) that you can add to your academic statement to communicate the potential impact of your work. To use Altmetric Explorer, you must register a free user account and sign in to track your book activity. For example, search on the words ‘customer insights’ to see activity for the textbook ‘Customer Insights‘ by Aila Khan.

ORCID

Add your work to your ORCID record. An ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) enables you to reliably, unambiguously and permanently connect your name(s) with your work throughout your research career, including publications, grants, education, employment and other biographical information.

If you need help setting up a free ORCID account, contact your School Librarian.

Best channels for promoting open textbooks

Promoting open textbooks requires a multifaceted approach that leverages various channels to reach educators, students, and other stakeholders. In Australia, promoting open textbooks requires a targeted approach that leverages specific channels within the country’s educational landscape.

Here are some of the best Australian and international channels for promoting open textbooks.

1. Online Platforms

These online platforms are valuable resources for educators, students, and other stakeholders interested in discovering, creating, and promoting open textbooks. They provide opportunities for collaboration, sharing of resources, and advocacy for open education principles and practices. You will find more online platforms in the Open Educational Resources (OER) guide.

• • Mason OER Metafinder: Mason OER Metafinder is a real-time federated search for OER content across +20 resources. It searches well-known OER repositories like OpenStax, OER Commons, MERLOT but also sites like HathiTrust, DPLA, Internet Archive and NYPL Digital Collections where valuable but often overlooked (and often “open”) educational materials may be found.
  • MERLOT: A curated collection of free and open online teaching, learning, and faculty development services. MERLOT’s textbooks cover various disciplines and are peer-reviewed for quality.
  • OER Commons: A digital library offering a vast collection of openly licensed resources, including textbooks, lesson plans, and multimedia materials. Educators can search for and contribute to the repository. Includes Pressbooks’ open textbooks.
  • Open Textbook Library: Open textbooks are licensed by authors and publishers to be freely used and adapted. Download, edit and distribute them at no cost. Open Education Network supports the Open Textbook Library.
  • Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB): DOAB is a community-driven discovery service that indexes and provides access to scholarly, peer-reviewed open access books and helps users to find trusted open access book publishers. All DOAB services are free of charge, and all data is freely available.
  • Pressbooks Directory: Pressbooks Directory is a free, searchable catalogue with +6,000 open access books published by +170 organisations and networks using Pressbooks. Nearly all books are highly accessible, and many include interactive H5P learning activities to engage learners.
  • OpenStax: Known for its high-quality, peer-reviewed textbooks covering a wide range of subjects. Professors can quickly adapt and customise these textbooks for their courses.

2. Social Media

Leveraging social media platforms frequented by educators, students, and advocates in Australia can help raise awareness and generate interest in open textbooks. Engaging in discussions, sharing resources, and collaborating with like-minded individuals can amplify the reach of promotional efforts.

• • Open Education Resources Australia (OERA): OERA is a community-driven initiative promoting open educational resources, including textbooks, in Australian education. They maintain a presence on social media platforms like Twitter (@OER_Australia) and Facebook, sharing updates and resources relevant to the Australian context.
  • X (formerly Twitter): OpenStax (@OpenStax) regularly shares updates about new textbooks, success stories, and events related to open education.
  • LinkedIn: Groups like “Open Education Resources (OER)” provide a platform for educators and advocates to discuss open textbooks and share resources.
  • Facebook: Groups such as the “Open Textbook Network” facilitate discussions and collaborations among educators interested in adopting and promoting open textbooks.

3. Educational Websites and Blogs

• • Creative Commons Australia: Creative Commons Australia provides information and resources about open licensing, including how educators and authors can license their textbooks for open use. Their website and blog feature articles and case studies highlighting open education initiatives in Australia.
  • OER Collective: Hosted by CAUL (Council of Australian University Librarians), this website offers a collection of Australia-centric peer-reviewed open textbooks.
  • OpenTextbook Library: Hosted by the University of Minnesota, this website offers a collection of peer-reviewed open textbooks covering various subjects.
  • BCcampus Open Education: BCcampus provides free open textbooks for post-secondary institutions in British Columbia, Canada, and hosts a blog featuring updates and success stories related to open education initiatives.
  • Open Education Consortium: Their blog highlights news, events, and resources related to open education, including open textbooks.

4. Email Newsletters

• • Open Education Global Newsletter: While not specific to Australia, the Open Education Global newsletter includes updates on open education initiatives worldwide, including developments in Australia related to open textbooks and resources.
  • OpenStax Newsletter: Subscribers receive updates on new textbooks, partnerships, and success stories from the OpenStax community.
  • SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition) Newsletter: SPARC provides updates on open education advocacy efforts, including initiatives to promote open textbooks.

5. Conferences and Workshops

Participating in conferences and events focused on educational technology and learning design provides opportunities to showcase open textbooks and discuss their benefits with educators and instructional designers.

• • ASCILITE Conference:
  • MoodleMoot Australia:
  • International Open Access Week:
  • OERxDomains Conference: While an international conference, OERxDomains provides opportunities for Australian educators and advocates to engage with the global open education community, share experiences, and learn about best practices for promoting open textbooks and resources.
  • OpenEd Conference: An annual event focused on open education, featuring presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities for educators, librarians, and policymakers.
  • Open Textbook Summit: Hosted by BCcampus, this summit brings together stakeholders to discuss the adoption and creation of open textbooks in higher education.

6. Collaboration with Institutions

• • Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL): CAUL is pivotal in advocating for open access and open educational resources within the Australian higher education sector. Partnering with CAUL can facilitate access to university libraries and their resources for promoting open textbooks.
  • State and Territory Libraries: State and territory libraries, such as the State Library of New South Wales and the State Library of Victoria, serve as essential hubs for promoting open access to educational resources. Collaborating with these libraries can facilitate the discovery and dissemination of open textbooks to a broader audience.
  • Open Universities Australia (OUA): OUA is a leading online education provider in Australia, offering a platform for promoting open textbooks to a wide audience of students and educators. Collaborating with OUA can help integrate open textbooks into their course offerings and raise awareness among their student base.
  • Australian National University (ANU): ANU has been involved in initiatives to create and promote open educational resources, including textbooks. The ANU Press offers a collection of open-access scholarly works, some of which may include textbooks or educational materials.
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst: The Open Education Initiative at UMass Amherst promotes the adoption of open textbooks and offers grants to faculty who redesign their courses to use open educational resources.
  • University of California: The UC system launched the Open Access Textbook Project to develop and promote open textbooks for high-demand lower-division courses.

7. Press Releases and Media Coverage

• • Government initiatives: The Australian government occasionally announces funding or support for open education initiatives, including developing and adopting open textbooks. Press releases from government departments or educational agencies can highlight these efforts and raise stakeholder awareness.
  • Rice University: OpenStax textbooks have received media coverage from outlets like NPR, The New York Times, and The Chronicle of Higher Education, raising awareness about the affordability and accessibility of open textbooks.
  • British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training: The British Columbia, Canada government issued press releases announcing funding initiatives and partnerships to support the adoption of open textbooks in post-secondary institutions.

8. Partnerships with Libraries

Many Australian universities have press and institutional repositories where open textbooks and other educational resources can be hosted and promoted. Partnering with university presses and repositories can help increase the visibility and accessibility of open textbooks within the academic community.

• • Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL): By participating in CAUL’s online discussions and events, educators and advocates can gain insights into the latest developments and best practices related to open textbooks in the Australian higher education context. Collaborating with CAUL can help leverage the expertise and resources of university libraries to enhance the visibility and accessibility of open textbooks across Australian universities.
  • National Library of Australia: While not specifically focused on textbooks, the National Library of Australia provides access to a vast collection of digital resources, including open-access books and educational materials. Partnering with the library could facilitate the discovery and promotion of open textbooks to a wider audience.
  • Open Textbook Library Partnership: Libraries across North America, including the University of Minnesota Libraries and the California State University Libraries, partner with the Open Textbook Library to promote open textbooks and support faculty and students.
  • SUNY Open Textbooks: The State University of New York Libraries collaborate to host and promote open textbooks through the SUNY Open Textbooks initiative.

9. Online Communities

Leveraging online communities frequented by educators, students, and advocates in Australia can help raise awareness and generate interest in open textbooks. Engaging in discussions, sharing resources, and collaborating with like-minded individuals can amplify the reach of promotional efforts.

• • Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL): CAUL is crucial in promoting open access initiatives within the Australian higher education sector, including open textbooks. They actively support open access and open education initiatives, including adopting and promoting open textbooks. Engaging with CAUL’s online community, such as through their website forums or mailing lists, provides opportunities to collaborate with librarians who facilitate access to open textbooks and advocate for their use within institutions, and access to a network of institutions, researchers, and policymakers committed to open education initiatives.
  • Open Access Australasia: This group supports open access and open education initiatives in Australia and New Zealand. Engaging with their community and online forums can help connect with educators and advocates interested in open textbooks.
  • Reddit: Subreddits like r/OpenEd are dedicated to discussions about open education, including adopting and creating open textbooks.
  • Edutopia Community: Educators on Edutopia’s forums discuss various topics, including using open educational resources like textbooks.

10. Professional Associations and Networks

Joining professional associations and networks relevant to education and publishing in Australia, provides opportunities to connect with key stakeholders and promote open textbooks within the industry.

• • Australian Publishers Association
  • Australian Council for Educational Research

11. Word of Mouth

• • Educator Networks: Australian educators often participate in professional networks and associations relevant to their discipline or educational sector. Word-of-mouth recommendations and testimonials from fellow educators can be influential in promoting open textbooks within these networks.
  • Faculty Testimonials: Professors who have successfully adopted open textbooks in their courses can share their experiences with colleagues during department meetings or conferences.
  • Student Advocacy: Student organizations and advocacy groups can raise awareness about open textbooks through campus events, social media campaigns, and petitions urging faculty to adopt open resources.