Once you have an Open Textbook identified and revised just the way you want it, you'll have to decide how to get it to students.
When you got yourself a review copy, and earlier in this tutorial, you learned about possible formats for the book. Here are some considerations for each.
Online
Long passages of text online make for very uncomfortable reading
Textbooks with extensive vocabulary to be learned can benefit from the ease of looking up definitions online.
Math and other disciplines that teach with many examples can also provide very rich formats online with as needed help and explanations
Many online formats have the table contents acting as the navigation panel, which can help students learn contextually
If you want to give students the option to print, be sure the source pages will translate well to the printed page (no text cut off at the end for example)
PDF
PDF documents preserve the look of the printed page online better than other formats.
PDF documents are very printer friendly
If PDF is the only option for securing the book, make sure the PDF provided is compliant with Accessibility standards
PDF's can be stored on jump drives and other media so that students can take them along as a virtual book
Print-on-Demand
This printing option allows students to order a bound version of their textbook for the cost of shipping and production, very affordable.
This option satisfies those students who feel more comfortable with a paper book that most closely resembles traditional textbooks.
This option can allow the campus bookstore to carry copies of the book as needed. Some students have financial aid packages that restrict them to purchasing textbooks at the campus bookstore.
Distribution How To's
You can provide links to the online, PDF, or print ordering pages in many ways. Students can click on links in the online course environment, use the links from an e-mail you send, locate the web addresses on a syllabus you pass out, or get the book on a CD that you create for them. You can also provide the print order page to the Campus bookstore, depending on their flexibility.
