Contributed by Jennifer Barker, Douglas College

In a recently-published article, a team of researchers including Douglas’ own Dr. Jennifer Barker, discusses the adoption of open textbooks by post-secondary instructors across British Columbia. The authors identify and describe eight general patterns of open textbook adoption, from individual textbook adoption to an entire department’s or institution’s adoption. The authors’ stated goals include better understanding of how open textbook adoption occurs naturally, as well as suggesting strategies on how to encourage further adoption.

Do you recognize your adoption pattern or that of your colleagues in any of the described patterns? Would you like to discuss the conditions under which each adoption pattern might manifest, or how each might be encouraged? Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below! If you’re a Douglas College instructor, student, or staff member, you’re also welcome to join our in-person Open Douglas meetings to chat further. Contact Hope Miller for more information.