Affordable Learning Solutions:
Webinar Series for Sharing
Today’s Features:
CSU Fresno
Schlager Milestone Documents
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AL$ Webinar #8 Agenda
 Welcome and AL$ Overview/Updates
(Hanley, 10 minutes)
 Fresno State AL$ efforts
(Vang, 20 minutes)
 Schlager Milestone Documents
(Schlager, 20 minutes)
 Summary, Discussion, and Looking Ahead
(All, 10 minutes)
http://als.csuprojects.org
Making It Easier To Find
 Alternative Content
 Tools
 Technologies
 Policies
 Marketing &
deployment strategies
CSU Provides System Access to
Free or Low-Cost Textbook Alternatives
 Open Educational Resources: Over 40,000 FREE
online teaching materials including over 2,300 FREE
online textbooks are available @ AL$ website
 CSU Library eBooks: CSU systemwide electronic
library collections provide students FREE access to
eBooks
 Faculty-Authored Materials: Published and distributed
in a variety of ways
 Lower Cost Publisher eTextbooks: CSU Rent Digital
4
About Digital Textbooks in the CSU
 Digital textbooks cost 45%-55% less
than new print textbook prices
 33% of CSU students prefer digital
textbooks
 1% of all titles sold in CSU
bookstores are digital textbooks
There is an unmet demand in the
CSU marketplace
5
Agreement On 4 Key Areas
 Choice: Faculty have a wide choice of publishers and
students choose a digital rental or not. 40K+ title choices.
 Price: 60% off new print textbook prices and publishers
choose the titles they will offer
 Marketing: CSU and vendors collaborating to raise
awareness, comfort, and competencies in using digital
textbooks
 Accessibility: Vendors will provide the CSU a roadmap
for improving the accessibility of their eReaders
Spring 2013:
Student-focused
activities
 Campus Outreach:
Student awareness of
choice through your
campus bookstore
 Cal State Student
Association
communication
program
 CSU Public Affairs
program
Why Do CSU Students Use Rent Digital?
Affordability
Lowest price. No buyback gamble. No risk of losing a print rental.
Can afford ALL materials for classes.
Reduce Stress
No book theft. No heavy backpack. No remembering to return rentals during finals.
Reassurance
Available in NEW editions unlike used books and hard copy rentals. CSU only has
the correct edition/title/ISBN so no risk of buying the wrong book
Unique Benefits
If students decide to keep the materials, they can pay the difference. Interactive
content is more engaging than hard copy and grades reflect the improvement
Tests identify and explain errors so students learn from tests as well as studying
Publisher updates in real-time, so no “old” editions.
Get to select the format that suits them while the instructor still selects content
Digital Rentals: Student Savings
If 1/3 of CSU students choose
1 digital rental per semester
instead of a new $100 print
textbook…..
 CSU students will save about
$17 Million in 2012-13
CSU ALS Activities: What’s the Schedule?
2012-2013: Faculty/Staff-focused activities
 Join the AL$ Online Community for info and support
tinyurl.com/als-community
 Monthly webinars by CO, CSU campuses & vendors
 Support for Campus AL$ Initiatives
 Workshops at your campus
Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$)
Fresno State
Vang Vang
Instructional Technology Librarian
Agenda
 Introduction
 Taskforce/Workgroup
 AL$ Campaign
 Faculty Learning Community
 Campus Awareness
 Conclusion
Introduction
Taskforce
 History – background
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IgRzXt-7d4
 Interest of Provost & President
 AL$ Workshop 2012
Taskforce
Technology Innovations for Learning and
Teaching (TILT)
Center for the Scholarly Advancement of
Learning & Teaching (CSALT)
Taskforce
 Time/Commitment/Communication
 re-develop interests and connections
 Presidents’ Luncheon Group
(student presidents from clubs, organizations, etc.,
to sorority/fraternity groups on campus)
 Council of Chairs
 ASI
 Message/Promotion = “Early Adoption”
 Conference Call
 2nd AL$ Workshop 2013
 Goals  Buy-ins  AL$ Kick-off 4/3/13
 Plans  Proposal  Funding
AL$ Campaign
 Faculty Learning Community
(Fall 2013-Spring 2014 semester, implement in Fall 2014)
 Each component will do their part
 10 faculty – application - $500
 AL$ Campus Awareness
 Webpage -- Academic Affairs
 Celebration in Spring 2014 for completion of FLC
 TILT/CSALT conferences & workshops:

Syllabus and Course Enhancement in Action workshop

Tech Hop

Summer Academy Institute
Conclusion
 Key Ingredients:
 Committee/Taskforce/Workgroup
 Support of Higher-Up
 $$ Support
Thank You!
Questions?
Vang Vang
Instructional Technology Librarian
vangv@csufresno.edu
Neil Schlager
Founder and President
Neil@MilestoneDocuments.com
Tel: 888-416-5727, ext. 801
About Milestone Documents
• A division of Schlager Group Inc., based in
Dallas
• Small company: No field sales force
• Digital textbook alternative or companion
• Serves courses in History, American Studies,
Religious Studies, and Political Science
• Native rent-digital service: no print companion
Milestone Documents and CSU
• Milestone Docs joining Rent Digital program
starting Fall 2013 (current adoption cycle)
• Students pay $15 for semester-length access
• Rent Digital is the only purchase option
Milestone Documents and CSU
• Milestone Docs currently used by instructors at
CSU-Fullerton and CSU-Sacramento
• Three CSU professors serving as Editors in Chief:
• Philip DiMare (CSU-Sacramento): US History I to 1877,
Comparative Religions
• Karen Linkletter (CSU-Fullerton): Intro to American Studies
• Lisa Tran (CSU-Fullerton): Chinese History
Karen Linkletter: CSU-Fullerton
• Document-based approach to Intro to American Studies
• Mixes in outside audio/visual sources
• Case study available at
http://www.milestonedocuments.com/evaluation
“When I told my students that we would be using
a digital service that costs only $20 instead of a normal
textbook, they applauded.” –Fall, 2012
Philip DiMare: CSU-Sacramento
• Developing course frameworks for US History I to 1877,
Comparative Religions
• Overseeing textbook layer for US History I
“I’m pleased to be a part of what I think is
one of the most forward-thinking educational tools
available today.”
Getting Started:
http://www.MilestoneDocuments.com/CSU
Thank you!
Neil Schlager
Founder and President
Neil@MilestoneDocuments.com
Tel: 888-416-5727, ext. 801
Overall AL$ Comments or Questions
Contact / Connect
Collaboration/Support
als@cdl.edu
ALS Website
als.csuprojects.org
ALS Community site
tinyurl.com/als-community
THANK YOU!
JOIN THE CSU AL$ ONLINE COMMUNITY AT
http://tinyurl.com/als-community