Monthly Archives: April 2009
A business model for free content
In a comment on an earlier post, I said I would try to blog about Flat World Knowledge and their business model soon. Here’s a 20-minute video that goes over this business model which allows textbooks to be free but … Continue reading
Filed under Teaching, Technology, Textbook-free, Textbooks
A calculus thought experiment
On Twitter right now I am soliciting thoughts about calculus courses, the topics we cover in them, and the ways in which we cover them. It’s turning out that 140 characters isn’t enough space to frame my question properly, so … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Free textbooks: It can be done
The last time I taught abstract algebra, I used no textbook but rather my own homemade notes. That went reasonably well, but in doing initial preps for teaching the course again this coming fall I realized my notes needed a … Continue reading
Filed under Abstract algebra, Calculus, Education, Teaching, Textbook-free, Textbooks
How calculus is changing architecture
All snarks about $24M mansions being funded by calculus textbook sales aside, there is an emerging relationship between calculus and architecture that is really fascinating. Since WordPress.com now allows direct embedding of TED talks, I thought I’d share this talk … Continue reading
Filed under Calculus, Technology
Where the money for your calculus book goes
There’s a new, five-story, 18000 square foot, $24 million house in Toronto that is built of curves and glass and boasts its own professional-quality concert hall. The owner? Not a billionaire financier, head of state, movie or sports star, or … Continue reading
Filed under Life in academia, Textbooks
