Online Textbook Tool and UBook Used Book Marketplace

Sean DeMonner, Project Manager, University of MichiganJim Eng, Software Developer, University of Michigan

Norhal El Halwagy, Research Associate, University of MichiganGonzalo Silverio, UI Developer, University of Michigan

• Development context• Tool walk-through

• U-M instance• Sakai version

• Initial outcomes• Questions (please hold til end)

Agenda

Textbooks / UBook @ U-M

• Students concerned about the cost of books• Provost named Task Force; it recommended

• Central online system for ordering books• Encourage earlier availability of book lists• Support used book market in addition to bookstores• Focus on large, introductory courses

• Collaborative development project funded• Book ordering managed in PeopleSoft SIS• Booklists viewed in Sakai/CTools and elsewhere• Data to bookstores, library, students (timed)

Textbooks / UBook @ U-M

• Sakai tool includes UBook marketplace• Textbook lists include buy/sell links into

UBook• External search service for finding books

(xISBN):• WorldCat/OCLC product• Annual fee; limited number of lookups• Best source we’ve found, still not complete• Contractual obligation not to mirror database

Textbooks / UBook @ U-M

• Book search API (e.g. Google) for covers, etc.• Templates include placeholders for thumbnails• Have not found an unrestricted source

• Higher Ed Opportunity Act of 2008 (HR 4137)• List of course materials and prices “to the extent

practical”• Early Usability Testing

• Personas, flow analysis, heuristic analysis, user testing

• Student labor :-)

MWS / Course Site View

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UBook Offer

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My UBook Offerings

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MWS / Course Site View

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UBook Search & Buy

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Book Searching

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• U-M is using an external book order system (SIS)• Sakai version has additional screens• Alternative lookup providers possible (ISBNdb.com)

• Sample screens presented:• RSF template• Not set in stone

Sakai Version

Sakai Screen - Booklist

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For instructors and others who might be adding textbooks for classes

Sakai Screen - Book Search

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Sakai Screen - Book Add

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Sakai Screen - Course Details

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• System went live in early Nov for W09 books• By first day Winter 2009, 62% of classes with > 100 students had info entered• By the end of January, 2953 textbooks entered; as of 6/22 6071• UBook: as of 2/19 4432 books entered, 1218 sold; as of 6/22 5360 entered, 1360 sold

Initial Outcomes

Questions?

http://bugs.sakaiproject.org/confluence/display/TXB/Home

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