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DIY textbook publishing is a great option for professors looking to spread their influence in a customized fashion
A big problem in education is that professors have no incentive to build content. They require students to purchase expensive textbooks for compliance reasons (between $628 and $1,471 annually), even if it has little to no relevance to their exams and assignments. Comprehensive learning often comes after initial readings, which is why many students don't read their textbooks.
This is where Classavo is changing the game in Ed-Tech because PowerPoints built by the professor are more relevant to exam success. They also give professors more control over their students' classroom education. Keep reading to learn about the many benefits of DIY textbook publishing and how Classavo is changing the game with it!
The benefits of professors publishing their own course material are plenty—for both students and professors. However, the most meaningful benefits for everyone include the following.
Keeping up with trends in education (personalized learning, mindfulness, 'brain break,' STEAM curriculum) is essential to your ability to reach and resonate with students. Most students want to do their best, be their best, and get the best grade in their classroom.
The problem is that a traditional textbook can't do what a DIY textbook can. It can't personalize the experience to your unique students and the best ways for them to learn. They also can't be adjusted as trends change.
On the other hand, you can edit Classavo's coursebooks to fit your instructional style and publish them. This makes for easy management and more interactive courses for your students.
DIY content is higher quality because it's more relevant to your teaching style and course purpose. Traditional textbooks can't meet the needs of every teacher and their style. Coursebooks created by the teacher themselves, however, can.
Forget the textbooks written outside your classroom and for an audience of thousands or more nationwide. Instead, use online tools that are easy to navigate and manage for course material that will benefit your students most and help them achieve their professional dreams.
Not every student is the same. More importantly, there are significant differences in students from year to year.
When you have more control over your course content (not just at the beginning of classes but throughout its entirety), you can make informed decisions and changes to meet the needs of your students better. This means more personalized content they can relate to and retain more easily.
This is because personalized learning allows professors to tailor their instruction to their classroom's needs, interests, and abilities. And according to university research, the importance of personalization lies within its flexibility for students, with the goal of "giving students time to explore subjects that interest them in ways that work best for them." In turn, they put forth their best efforts and work by using tools and practices that emphasize their strengths rather than showcasing their weaknesses.
Did you know that studies have shown that when you engage students in the learning process, you improve their focus, attention, and motivation for higher-level critical thinking?
No matter what outside textbook you choose for students to read in your course, engagement will have certain limitations. However, customized course material ensures you implement what you know and have learned over the years to encourage engagement and elicit more comprehensive learning early on.
One way you can make your material more engaging is through active learning. These include strategies such as Q&A sessions, group discussions, interactive lectures, hands-on exercises, and more. A DIY textbook can support this engaging environment, whereas a traditional textbook cannot.
Students spend hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars on textbooks and supplies yearly (some in just one semester, depending on their studies and university). Most (65%) students started skipping the purchase of textbooks in 2021, with more following their lead since. This is because they cost too much and don't often add the insight and knowledge they need to pass the class anyway.
With Classavo's tools, students don't have to choose between financial security and well-rounded learning. Professors make the material relevant to the course and students, and students benefit from more affordable education.
Another common problem with textbooks is accessibility. Minor issues (those outside of affordability) can cause students to miss out on the readings that influence their exams and final grade, i.e., water damage, missing pages, notes over text, lost books (and can't afford a new one), etc.
These problems don't occur with Classavo's DIY textbooks because they're online accessible. As long as your students have access to the internet in your classroom, they'll have access to the information they need to excel in their education.
Your students will also benefit from tailored content, engaging and interactive material, easy collaboration with other students, self-paced learning, and even new technical skills.
Most professors are at the university for research, and teaching is a requirement. Course development is not part of teaching. On top of that, there is plenty of administrative work.
So for many professors, it may not be their passion to teach, or they are not compensated enough to write content. As a result, most just adopt content from publishers or other professors for their role's "teaching" component—they are mostly only lecturing.
Some don't even build their own PowerPoints.
The solution to low-quality, expensive, and irrelevant content is for professors to write their own content and be compensated for it. The Creator Economy is present in all industries right now except Ed-Tech.
Having proud ownership of your own content and worthwhile payment is how we incentivize educators to keep the quality of higher education high. Then, students have more affordable content that they will read (and retain!).
This is a win across all boards for students and professors. Contact our team at Classavo to discuss our all-in-one teaching platform and how it can change the game in your classroom.
