[Foundation-l] Global Text Project

[Erik Moeller]

FYI - we need to talk to these people.

http://globaltext.org/

Global Text Project

    * The goal is to create a free library of 1,000 electronic
textbooks for students in the developing world
    * The library will cover the range of topics typically encountered
in the first two years of a university's undergraduate programs
    * The global academic community and global corporations will be
engaged in creating and sponsoring this library

The project will create open content electronic textbooks that will be
freely available from a Web site. Distribution will also be possible
via paper, CD, or DVD. Our goal initially is to focus on content
development and Web distribution, and we will work with relevant
authorities to facilitate dissemination by other means when bandwidth
is unavailable or inadequate. Thus, while the goal, educating the
disadvantaged, is the same as that of the $100 laptop project, we are
not tied to a particular device or medium.

We have experience with developing a free textbook, XML: Managing Data
Exchange. This project started in January 2004 when a graduate class
at the University of Georgia wrote the first version of the book.
Subsequent graduate and undergraduate classes at the University of
Georgia and elsewhere have improved and extended the book. It has been
used as the XML text in a variety of classes, and in each case the
class has been required to leave the book in better shape that they
received it at the beginning of the term.

Experience with this project and the success of WikiBooks has
convinced us that we can further develop the idea of free and open
content books to increase the value of these books to students,
particularly those who cannot afford paper-based textbooks. We want to
add several innovations to improve the quality of the books.


-- 
Peace & Love,
Erik