Navigating and Using an OpenStax OER

Screenshot of OpenStax Intermediate Algebra 2e textbook
What kind of OER textbook are you using? OpenStax textbooks typically have a light coloured background and look similar to the screenshot shown. They will feature the OpenStax logo, which includes a stack of books (Source: OpenStax Intermediate Algebra 2e, CC BY 4.0)

Using the online web book version of your OpenStax textbook

The web version of your textbook contains all the same text as the PDF versions. It may also contain:

  • Interactive activities or simulations
  • Embedded videos
  • Text based review questions or activities
  • Clickable footnotes
  • Glossary terms (click while reading to see the definition of a word or phrase, or view the glossary list)

How to get started

  • Access your OER textbook via the web link your professor provided

Accessing OpenStax Textbooks

Watch Accessing your OpenStax Textbook (3 mins) on YouTube

Video source: CCS eLearning. (2017, July 11). Accessing your OpenStax textbook [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/UntCX-E6vRc

The web version of your textbook is built on a platform with:

  • a navigation menu labelled “Table of Contents” that:
    • appears to the left hand side of a typical web browser on a computer
    • appears at the top left of your screen on a mobile device, under the menu item that looks like 3 horizontal bars
    • is accessible to screenreaders
  • a search box that will allow you to search the entire book for key terms or sections
    • appears in the top centre of page on a typical web browser on a computer
    • appears to the right/top of your browser on a mobile device, with a magnifying glass icon
  • previous & next buttons to allow you to move between pages
    • appear at the bottom of the content page for typical web browsers on a computer/tablet/mobile devices

Using the PDF version of your textbook

OpenStax textbooks are usually available in PDF format, but you’ll have to navigate to the main page of the book to find a downloadable file.

Take a look at Navigating and Using the PDF version of your Textbook for more information, including how to locate the PDF file.

Further Resources & Tips

Attribution & References

Except where otherwise noted, this page by Jen Booth, OER Design Studio at the Georgian College Library is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Using OER textbooks: Student Guide Copyright © 2023 by Jen Booth is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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