<div dir="ltr">I have long been an advocate of no textbook because there are so many resources that good and online that can help structure a course. But, I also understand, as Pam points out, there is a need for structure and really good pre-planned resources particularly in the service course, especially if the textbook decision is tied to a large number of courses that need some uniformity and consistency across sections. <div><br></div><div>There are several institutions (such as Kennesaw and Utah State) that have developed some robust open educational resources, and we (here at USF) are moving to put all of our professional development materials and resources freely available online (as well as our custom textbook) as a resource for the field to be adapted and modified. That should appear this summer. I mention these to give you alternative options to consider and to show some things going on in the broader field. </div><div><br></div><div>Thus, it seems that the decision for a textbook is based on a number of factors from cost, to faculty preference and background, to size of the program and to local institutional needs (to name but a few factors). Not a one size fits all model for sure. </div><div><br></div><div>Thanks for the question, Katrina. It's a good reminder to consistently be reflective in our teaching practices.</div><div><br></div><div>Have a great week everyone!</div><div>Lisa</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Apr 9, 2019 at 11:58 AM Geoff Clegg <<a href="mailto:geoffrey.clegg@gmail.com">geoffrey.clegg@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">Katrina,<div><br></div><div>We're in a similar situation just north of you at Midwestern. I've moved to encouraging students to rent textbooks via Amazon or Chegg as they're more affordable options. I include the prices in my syllabus. However, I believe only three total students this semester out of my four sections purchased the textbook. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm thinking the same thing and have been compiling examples, information, etc. to teach my full semester classes without a textbook. So far my summer sessions have been fine without a text.</div><div><br></div><div>Geoff</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Apr 9, 2019 at 10:45 AM Hinson, Dr. Katrina <<a href="mailto:KHINSON@tarleton.edu" target="_blank">KHINSON@tarleton.edu</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
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I've been puzzling over this question for a while and thought I'd see what others thought. It's time for book orders to our bookstore ( both for fall and for summer). Each time I have to place an order for books, I'm always shocked by the price of the text
and then knowing the bookstore is going to have its own mark up. In particular, I'm questioning the need for technical writing textbook. I have seriously contemplated not using a textbook for this particular class because I'm somewhat certain that few students
actually use it; some students can't afford it; and, good information is also easily available online. I'm also thinking the only reason I require a textbook is because of a mental mindset that associates college with textbooks. Anyway, I thought I'd see
what others felt about textbooks - to use or not use.
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<div>I look forward to hearing your input.</div>
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<div>With regard,</div>
<div> <br>
<div>
<div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:"Book Antiqua";font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;text-decoration:none">
<font face="Lucida Handwriting" size="4"><i>Dr. Katrina L. Hinson<br>
</i></font><br>
<span style="font-size:15px">Dr. Katrina Hinson,<br>
Ph.D. Rhetoric, Writing and Professional Communication<br>
Assistant Professor of English<br>
Tarleton State University<br>
“progress not perfection"</span></div>
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</blockquote></div><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail-m_5742192772188306597gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><b>Geoffrey Clegg, PhD | Assistant Professor of English<br></b></div><div>English Department<br>Midwestern State University </div><div>Wichita Falls, TX 76308</div><div><a href="mailto:geoffrey.clegg@mwsu.edu" target="_blank">geoffrey.clegg@mwsu.edu</a></div><div><a href="mailto:geoffrey.clegg@gmail.com" target="_blank">geoffrey.clegg@gmail.com</a></div><div><br></div><div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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</blockquote></div><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr">
Lisa Melonçon, PhD<br><div>Co-Editor, Rhetoric of Health and Medicine (<a href="http://journals.upress.ufl.edu/rhm" target="_blank">http://journals.upress.ufl.edu/rhm</a>)</div><div>Book Series Editor, Foundations and Innovations in TPC (<a href="https://wac.colostate.edu/books/tpc/" target="_blank">https://wac.colostate.edu/books/tpc/</a>)<br></div><div><span>Associate Professor, Technical Communication, Department of English</span></div><div>University of South Florida</div><div>4202 Fowler Avenue, CPR 311</div><div>Tampa, FL 33620-5550</div><div>Phone: 803-370-0008</div><div>Email: <a href="mailto:meloncon.research@gmail.com" target="_blank">meloncon.research@gmail.com</a> or <a href="mailto:meloncon@usf.edu" target="_blank">meloncon@usf.edu</a></div><div><a href="http://tek-ritr.com" target="_blank">http://tek-ritr.com</a></div><div>Twitter:@lmeloncon<br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family:Garamond,serif"></span>
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