Alternative Texts Search
Some new entrants to the textbook market offer students the choice of very inexpensive e-texts or low cost print versions of the same. These publishers' low cost models mean that they don't send publisher's reps to your office, so you need to investigate via publisher web sites.
This searches the sites listed in on this page.
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Alternative Texts
The following textbook publishers employ business models that aim to keep costs low and give students a choice of options. Some texts by alternative publishers have won awards--see box at lower right for award winners.
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Flatworld KnowledgeInexpensive texts in the $25 to $40 range. Growing collection of titles across disciplines. Many have been adopted by top tier universities and some have won textbook awards.
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Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative- OLIThis started as an open project, but now charges fees for most courses (a typical course is $25). Might be very good for STEM areas.
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Chemeketa PressA "a nonprofit publishing endeavor at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon" produces print textbooks under $50 by using print on demand technology and financial support from the college.
The model is interesting and promising. -
Orthogonal PublishingPublishes "low-cost print editions of high-quality open-content books." Offers several mathematics textbooks.
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Textbook Media PressOffers texts for business, economics, education, english, political science, and psychology. Students can choose affordable options, including digital books, PDF version, paperback, or iPhone version.
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Learn C++ ( LearnCpp.com)Chapters include all the steps needed to write, compile, and debug your C++ programs. Free with ads.
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Business Expert PressOffers a few hundred books on business and economics topics. Students can choose between very inexpensive e-text or reasonably priced print text. This publisher also sells library ebooks. Look carefully as there is wide variety in quality.
Texty Textbook Excellence Award Winners
Although the quality of open & alternative textbooks can vary; some are excellent and have won awards.
Note that in some cases an earlier edition won the award, but links were updated to a newer edition of the title.
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Information Systems: A Manager's Guide to Harnessing TechnologyBy John Gallaugher
Flatword Knowledge -
Organizational BehaviorBy Talya Bauer and Berrin Erdogan
Flatword Knowledge -
Understanding Media and Culture in the 2020s: An Introduction to Mass CommunicationFlatworld Press. 2024 winner
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The Science of Psychology: Connections and Contemporary IssuesFlatworld Press, 2024 winner.
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Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social WorldBy Steve Barkan
Flatworld Knowledge -
Engineering Software as a Service: An Agile Approach Using Cloud ComputingA self-published text available on Kindle, pdf, or inexpensive print copy.