Documentation:Open Textbook Publishing Guide/Publishing Tools
Pressbooks
| Other Textbook Publishing Tools
Pressbooks isn't always the right choice for your project. For example, textbooks in the maths and sciences often use textbook publishing platforms that support formulas and mathematical equations better like PreTeXt. Here are some other textbook publishing tools that are used by faculty and staff at UBC: |
For creating open textbooks, UBC supports the use of BCcampus Pressbooks. Using Pressbooks, you can create your own online textbook with options for downloading online and printable PDF versions so that students can choose which format best fits their needs. Additionally, you are able to use Pressbooks H5P content plugins to create timelines, learning checks, and other (limited) interactive content in order to increase engagement while reading. Pressbooks also supports Hypothes.is for note-taking and discussion, and QuickLaTeX for writing formulas.
UBC Library and CTLT are able to provide direct support for your project during all phases of textbook development (except writing). They have also created an infographic showing the different project phases for creating a Pressbook.
| Examples of Pressbooks
Check out the UBC Pressbook Catalogue to see Pressbooks projects that have been supported by UBC Library and CTLT. |
Other Tools
UBC provides and supports many different tools that can be used to create or supplement Open Textbooks. While other Open tools may be used, these are the ones that UBC provides direct support for.
| Resource | Tool |
| Journals |
Open Journal SystemsUBC uses the Open Journal System (OJS) which allows you to collect articles, essays, or other content and create your own journal. Open Journal Systems is an open-source journal management and publishing software developed, supported, and freely distributed by the Public Knowledge Project (PKP) under the GNU General Public License. The UBC library can assist you with setting up and hosting your journal using OJS. |
| Quiz Banks |
WebworkWebwork is an online assignment and quiz application for mathematics and science, where students receive instant feedback on answers to problems and instructors can allow for multiple attempts until a student finds the correct solution. For more information, visit UBC's Webwork Wiki pages. Support is provided by the Learning Technology Hub and individual instructional support units. |
| Student Work,
Course Content, and more. |
UBC BlogsUBC Blogs provide an interactive website platform where instructors and students can create content individually or collaboratively, resulting in outcomes like a course website, a group blog, a peer review space, or a personal portfolio or blog—all built on a flexible WordPress foundation. UBC Blogs has been developed by UBC's Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology. Contact blog.support@ubc.ca with questions. Drop-in support is provided by the Learning Technology Hub. Additional expertise is available during CTLT’s weekly WordPress and Wiki Clinic, generally held on Thursdays. Check the events calendar for upcoming clinic times. UBC WikiThe UBC Wiki is a campus-wide online platform for collaborative writing, where content can be created, viewed, and edited by any person who logs in with a CWL. Wiki content can also be embedded easily on UBC Blogs and UBC CMS sites. Anyone with CWL, including faculty members, students and staff, have access to the Wiki. You can log in with your CWL to start and edit your wiki article and/or invite students to do the same. UBC Wiki has its own help page, which has detailed documentation on getting up and running with wiki. Contact wiki.support@ubc.ca with questions. Support is provided by the Learning Technology Hub. Additional expertise is available during CTLT’s weekly “WordPress and Wiki Clinic”, generally held on Thursdays. Check the events calendar for upcoming clinic times. |
Adaption Statements
- Adapted from the Self-Publishing Guide by BCcampus licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
- Adapted from the The Rebus Guide to Publishing Open Textbooks (So Far) by Apurva Ashok and Zoe Wake Hyde is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.