Every month we highlight a public book from the Pressbooks community that is a great example of high quality, open content across a range of different subjects and use cases.
These are the books we highlighted in 2024, all of which can be accessed for free on the Pressbooks Directory. Most of these texts are openly licensed and therefore available to adapt and remix if you have access to a Pressbooks account.
January
Introduction to Speech Communication
From Oklahoma State University
Introduction to Speech Communication from Oklahoma State takes a fresh and interesting approach to teaching the foundations of public speaking.
Using AI, instructors brought the school mascot, Pistol Pete, to life and integrated his perspective into the learning experience.
License: CC BY-NC-SA
February
Anatomy and Physiology
From Oregon State University College of Science
Anatomy & Physiology by Oregon State University College of Science uses language and imagery that’s inclusive of a wide range of bodies. This has helped this text resonate with a global audience.
It became the second most viewed Pressbooks publication of 2023 with over 2.7 million views, and the most viewed of 2024 with over 3 million.
License: CC BY-SA
March
Unlocking the Digital Age
From the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University
Based on coursework developed at the Peabody Conservatory, Unlocking the Digital Age serves as a crucial resource for early career musicians navigating the complexities of the digital era.
This guide bridges the gap between creative practice and scholarly research, empowering musicians to confidently share and protect their work as they expand their performing lives beyond the concert stage as citizen artists.
License: CC BY
April
Building Your Career: A Guide for Students
From Flinders University
Building Your Career: A Guide for Students is the first open textbook published by Flinders University (as part of the Council of Australian University Librarian’s Open Educational Resource Collective).
Written as a useful companion for students in high school, vocational, and higher education to understand the world of work and how to establish a career, this text is a great example of how to use embedded videos to make learning materials more engaging.
License: CC BY-NC
May
My X's
From the University of North Alabama
My X’s is an incredible example of experiential learning.
This is the first book published by Lion Bridge Publishing—a small press run by students enrolled in the publishing internship class at the University of North Alabama. Here students collaborate in the copy editing, marketing, and design process of each text, and have the chance to see a book through from draft manuscript to final publication.
License: CC BY
June
Valuing OER in the Tenure, Promotion,
and Reappointment Process
From DOERS3
Valuing OER in the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Process is an important text from the DOERS3 group (Driving Open Educational Resources for Sustainable Student Success) aimed at answering the question of how to incentivize faculty to adopt, adapt, and create OER.
This book of case studies is meant to aid faculty, librarians, administrators, and staff members as they attempt to make their work or others’ work on Open Educational Resources (OER) matter in the tenure, promotion, and reappointment process at their institutions.
License: CC BY
July
History in the Making
From Montgomery College
History in the Making from Montgomery College won the 2024 American Association of Community Colleges Award for Faculty Innovation.
This oral history project shares stories of resilience, strength, and hope from immigrant and refugee students at Montgomery College. It aims to gain a better understanding of their experiences, and highlights how Montgomery College’s diverse student body is one of its most valuable resources.
License: CC BY-NC-SA
August
Humans R Social Media
From the University of Arizona
Since its first publication in 2017, this cutting edge, open access “living book” has evolved to reflect the ever-changing social media landscape and the voices of its student collaborators.
This project exemplifies the power of open educational resources (OER) and culturally responsive teaching, creating a learning experience that’s both relevant and impactful.
License: CC BY
September
Origins of Contemporary Art, Design, and Interiors
From Fanshawe College
Origins of Contemporary Art, Design, and Interiors is a curated compilation of essays, suggested readings, and author writings for third-year students in the Bachelor of Interior Design Degree Program at Fanshawe College.
It explores art, design, and material culture from the Enlightenment to the present while addressing traditional Western-centric narratives. Students are encouraged to critically engage with history, challenge assumptions, and collaboratively build a nuanced understanding of visual culture.
License: CC BY-NC
October
Multiple Collaborative Texts from the Council of Australian University Librarians
In October, our book of the month was shared by three wonderful collaborative projects from various institutions part of the Council of Australian University Librarians OER Collective. Each of these texts is powered by the wonderful collaborative efforts of many individuals and featured in our most recent webinar “Exploring the Power of Collaboration in Open Education.”
November
RANGE: Journal of Undergraduate Research
From the University of Utah
RANGE: Undergraduate Research Journal, a unique Pressbooks publication showcasing the rich, diverse scholarship of University of Utah undergraduates.
Published by the Office of Undergraduate Research, whose mission is to promote collaborative research and creative works in all disciplines, this journal includes nearly 200 projects that span disciplines and desires.
License: CC BY
December
Have a title you’d like to nominate to be the December book of the month? Head over to LinkedIn and cast your vote