Status - Approved

Approved

Tool Description

Pressbooks is a free and open source book content management system that allows users to publish books to the public web and produce exports in multiple formats, including EPUB and PDF. Pressbooks is built on top of WordPress Multisite but makes significant changes to the admin interface, web presentation layer and export routines of a standard WordPress installation. Pressbooks is typically installed with a suite of complementary plugins and themes which extend the tool’s default publishing capabilities.

By leveraging Pressbooks, educators can create dynamic textbooks and other educational resources tailored to their specific course needs, enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes. This initiative not only supports academic success but also significantly reduces the financial burden on students, with estimates suggesting millions in savings through the adoption of OER materials. For further information on Pressbooks, please visit OER with Pressbooks.

Build Assignments using Pressbooks LTI

Pressbooks LTI 1.3 allows for the integration of the Pressbooks authoring platform within Canvas to seamlessly embed Pressbooks content. It also provides grade synchronization with any learning activities built within specific pressbooks.

If you are a Pressbooks author and wish to use your Open Educational Resource (OER) materials that have learning activities within your books, here are the steps to follow:

1. Open your course in Canvas.
2. Go to Module.
3. Choose the Module that will have Pressbooks resources.
4. Click the '+' sign button next to the three dots.
5. Choose External Tool on the Add drop down menu.
6. Search and click Pressbooks Content Selector.
7. Canvas will open a window called Link resources from External Tool.
8. Search the content you want to add. 
9. Check the checkbox and click Select Content.
10. Check the checkbox Load in a new tab.
11. Click Add Item.
12. You will have the selected Pressbooks items added to your designated module. If it is a graded assignment, it will be added to the module as an assignment, and you will need to set the point value.

Notes: If you would like to use open textbooks in Pressbooks from other institutions, whether authored by you or someone else, please contact the University Libraries for assistance with transferring the books.
 

Support

For more information regarding this tool, please contact Texas A&M University Library.