As an instructor I am constantly seeking strategies that will allow me to deliver content to a diverse population, support student-directed learning, and facilitate ongoing communication exchange between instructor and students. It was during one of my searches that I realized the potential benefits of online books. First, the reader is engaged with the text through their computer, smartphone, iPad, etc. (Kelly, 2016). Instructors can include chunks of material followed by video examples and interactive exercises. An online book is not a separate text, but an interactive tool specifically aligned with the course. Second, when a course instructor builds their own online book, they are building the content with their learners in mind (Gende, 2012). As a content expert myself, that has taught management courses for many years, I understand potential student content translation pitfalls. The online book can be created anticipating students' needs and preemptively adding key content to support ease and facilitate learner growth.
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