Accessible+Formats

= What kinds of formats will you need? =

Print

 * Lulu print-on-demand can produce a variety of options. Black and white with a generic, but sturdy paperback cover is about $7 for 200 pages. Color is about $15. You could choose to print only readings, sections that you want, be picky.
 * Nebo District print shop can do a black and white, 300 pages (both sides) with a heat binding and just cardstock cover for $7.75
 * Any print option, particularly in color, either increases the cost, and forces you to limit the kinds of resources you can include.
 * Probably the only option for putting resources in student hands for many elementary schools and a fair number (decreasing hopefully) of secondary classrooms.
 * Print-on-demand allows teachers to customize content, organization, etc. with less financial investment, even if it is printed more often than an adoption cycle.

Online (html or pdf?)

 * html would be fine if it is accessed online with a good sized screen (desktop or laptop), but not so good with a netbook or smaller device because the browser toolbars tend to take up too much of the real estate.
 * PDF could be pulled into a reader that makes better use of the screen.
 * Could free up substantial textbook funds for use in other areas, such as technology, other learning resources, etc.

ePub

 * Interactive content
 * Great for tablets and other devices

PDF for download and tablets

 * Download for offline reading. Would probably want some kind of annotation tool. Good Reader does a good job for iPad, there are many more options for laptops and desktops. Could also be printed well in this format.
 * Could work bearably well for smaller devices like iPod Touch, etc.

Wiki

 * Great for quickly adding content and links. Far more updatable than the other formats. However, it will change often, sometimes for the better and sometimes not, especially depending on who has access to edit the wiki.
 * A great option for customizing the same text/lessons/activities for different classes or groups.
 * If you are changing the "text", what does that do to the review process?