As the musician and artist Kanye West recently pointed out, college textbooks are just too expensive. But what can we do about it?

In celebration of Open Education Week, a global event that aims to raise awareness of free and open sharing in education, please join us for a panel discussion on textbook affordability at Temple University. Our three speakers, Eitan Laurence, Gerard Brown, and Wesley Roehl, will explain their own interest in this issue, as well as offer ideas for the future. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about Temple Libraries’ Alternate Textbook Project, which will soon be announcing its 6th Call for Proposals.

Speakers

Eitan Laurence is a Temple University student who is an advocate for Open Educational Resources (OER). He is currently a member of the Provost’s Task Force on Textbook Affordability.

Gerard Brown, Associate Professor, Tyler School of Art, is a member of the Foundation Faculty and is the Department Chair. His senior Visual Studies seminar students are currently engaged in a project looking at the way textbooks affect learning.

Wesley Roehl is a Professor in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. He is a recent participant in Temple Libraries’ Alternate Textbook Project.

Kristine Weatherston is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Media Studies and Production. She is a two-time recipient of the Alternate Textbook Project award. Kristine utilizes web-based and open source textbooks, software, and videos in her scriptwriting, documentary production, and media courses.

The panel will be moderated by Annie Johnson, Library Publishing and Scholarly Communications Specialist at Temple Libraries.

Questions? Contact Annie Johnson at annie.johnson@temple.edu.