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major-publishing-corp-rep wanders into my office today unscheduled... "so, i hear that you are the only person in the math dept whois not using our textbooks for your calculus class... so, what are you using?" 1/9
i explain how i'm making videos and posting them on youtube for all to use freely; and how i'm supplementing these with e-text available for cheap on amazon for those who want a text that matches the videos... 2/9
the PubRep explains that XXXX-PublishingHouse is really all about the future, with advanced homework systems and interactive apps, etc... "well", i say, "about those homework systems..." 3/9
"in my role as co-director of the @PennFirstPlus program, one of the complaints we constantly hear is how students are struggling to afford these /homework systems/ that cost 90% of the book price, and are not covered by financial aid..." 4/9
i explain, "this is a real burden on our most vulnerable students, and there's a general perception that this is unsustainable". PubRep: /blink/blink/ 5/9
PubRep: "so, i understand you are implementing certain...changes?" me: "yes..." PubRep: "is it true that you are recycling old textbooks?" me: "yes, we have a program in place where students donate their used texts to the next year's class of #FGLI students..." 6/9
PubRep: "oh, that's not good..." me: /blink/blink/ PubRep: "i mean, i feel *so* *bad* for these *poor* students who have to suffer with a... uh... bio text that is 3 or 4 years out of date: it's really obsolete. we should find a way to partner..." 7/9
me, silently judging the entire publishing industry: "well, i need to go teach a room full of these students now, so if you'll excuse me, i'm going to work now..." 8/9
fellow profs: find a way to use or create low-cost texts or text-alternatives for your students. many, many students at the margin will be positively impacted. \end
