Digital library
Textbooks, references and open learning resources.
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People Learning and Development
Monica Affleck · Kwantlen Polytechnic University · 2021
Are you interested in the topic of people learning and development or are tasked to implement learning and training opportunities in your workplace? We invite you to use this resource full of information and tools to help support people and organizations in their learning journey. Learning happens everywhere, and you will explore the different modes of learning on and off the job. But is a training program actually the right solution to address a performance issue in your organization? Learn how to conduct a needs analysis to help you decide what is in the best interest of the organization and people. Training and learning opportunities have to be properly designed to be effective and deliver the results you expect. Find out how adults learn and what motivates them to develop their skills. Discover how learning supports the performance management process and how to ensure that learning gets transferred into the workplace. The ultimate goal of training and development is to increase productivity, employee engagement, and to make a positive impact on the organization’s bottom line. So, evaluating training and development programs is critical to determine the company’s return on investment (ROI). You will find all of this and more in this resource to help you invest in and reap the benefits of talent development in your company. Remember, this is an interactive resource. We invite you to answer the questions at the end of each chapter to test your knowledge.
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Introduction to Communication Systems: An Interactive Approach Using the Wolfram Language
Victor Frost · University of Kansas Libraries · 2021
This ebook provides a unique pedagogical approach to teaching the fundamentals of communication systems using interactive graphics and in-line questions. The material opens with describing the transformation of bits into digital baseband waveforms. Double-sideband suppressed carrier modulation and quadrature modulation then provide the foundation for the discussions of Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), M-ary Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (M-QAM), M-ary Phase Shift Keying (MPSK), and the basic theory of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). Traditional analog modulation systems are also described. Systems trade-offs, including link budgets, are emphasized. Interactive graphics allow the students to engage with and visualize communication systems concepts. Interactivity and in-line review questions enables students to rapidly examine system tradeoffs and design alternatives. The topics covered build upon each other culminating with an introduction to the implementation of OFDM transmitters and receivers, the ubiquitous technology used in WiFi, 4G and 5G communication systems.
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Research and the Information Landscape
Libby Wheeles; Helena Marvin · University of Missouri - St. Louis · 2025
This open textbook accompanies the University of Missouri-St. Louis class INTDSC 1010: Research and the Information Landscape. Intended for undergraduates new to academic research, the course covers practical search and evaluation skills as well as a basic introduction to the world of scholarly communication.
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Teaching in the University: Learning from Graduate Students and Early Career Faculty
Donna Westfall-Rudd; Courtney Vengrin; Jeremy Elliott-Engel · Virginia Tech Publishing · 2022
The primary objective of this book is to provide a resource for graduate teaching assistants who are looking for practical strategies and guidance as they begin their careers as postsecondary STEM educators. The text is designed to address a comprehensive list of topics to support the professional development of new faculty, recognizing that those holding academic faculty positions within a college or university are expected to be active in teaching, discovery, and outreach. Traditional doctoral education programs have historically emphasized preparation for research and scholarly publications, and for outreach. However, to some extent, many candidates who complete doctoral programs have minimal preparation and training in formal teaching. Contributors to this text have had a unique experience as part of a three-year, college-wide program designed to prepare interested doctoral students for a rewarding academic career. The program is designed to support the professional development of new faculty, recognizing that those holding academic faculty positions within a college or university are expected to be active in teaching, discovery, and outreach. The alumni and scholars of the program have worked collectively to gather resources and implement educational practices in the diverse set of courses they taught in during their three years in the program. Now as new faculty at a variety of postsecondary institutions across the United States, these early-career educators bring their insights and real-world teaching experiences, embedded in contemporary teaching and learning theory to their contributions to this text. What is this resource? This text is a collection of chapters and vignettes intended to provide practical insight into the challenges and opportunities of teaching at the postsecondary level. It is anticipated that the vignettes provide examples of contexts in which the principles of the topic chapters are applied. Goals for this book Support future STEM facult
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Advanced Information Research Skills (AIRS)
Lyndelle Gunton; Sal Kleine; Rani McLennan · Queensland University of Technology · 2025
AIRS is an open educational resource (OER) created to empower learners and researchers with the confidence and capability to navigate today’s complex information landscape. It is designed for anyone who wants to strengthen their skills in finding, evaluating, managing, and using information effectively for research. Whether you are a research student, supervisor, librarian, or research support professional, AIRS offers practical strategies and tools to help you, and those you support, develop advanced information skills that make a real difference in research success.
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Communication Concepts
Erin Hawley · Deakin University · 2024
Communication challenges abound in the 21st century. Communicators everywhere are struggling to connect with diverse, distracted audiences, in both urgent and everyday contexts. In other words, communication has never been more vital, but it’s becoming harder and harder to be heard. In this book, we make sense of communication. From multiple perspectives, we unpack the practices, politics, pleasures, and problems that are activated when meaning is shared across real and virtual spaces. This book will help you use the thinking tools of communication theory to understand why communication matters and how it impacts (and is impacted by) our rapidly changing world.
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Communication and Teamwork Skills to Support Neurodiversity
Teagan Menhenett; Nick Milne; Siva Krishnan · Deakin University · 2025
A significant challenge for neurodivergent students is the transition to studying in a new environment. This book focuses on assisting students with this transition by guiding them through different learning activities and information to support the team-based learning they will engage in during their degree. The resources in this book are designed to be accessible for all students and staff, with the aim of developing an understanding of disability and neurodiversity, teamwork and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with peers to achieve common goals. The resources shared here can be utilised within individual units to support student skill development in inclusivity, engagement with others and the capacity to contribute towards highly functional teams.
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Amalgamation
Timothy Krause · Portland Community College · 2023
This intermediate writing course is designed for ESOL students as their first step toward academic writing in U.S. colleges. Each two-week unit integrates vocabulary, grammar, and composition in a "just in time" fashion so that students receive instruction on the key tools they need in order to accomplish new writing goals. The lessons cover a basic essay, narrative essay, process essay, and compare/contrast essay. There is also a final one-week unit devoted to editing and proofreading skills. This edition is an update and expansion of work by Delpha Thomas.
![Why Do I Have to Take This Course? A Guide to General Education [Revised Edition]](/api/files/covers/otl-1623.webp)
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Why Do I Have to Take This Course? A Guide to General Education [Revised Edition]
Kisha Tracy · ROTEL · 2024
Why Do I Have to Take This Course? A Guide to General Education developed out of many years of thinking about general education courses and curriculums. We, as university personnel, do not always succeed in explaining why we have certain requirements. Even though these courses make up a significant percentage of our college careers, there is not often time set aside to talk about general education and explore its purpose and goals. When we do not know the reason why we are doing something, it can sometimes lead to apathy and even resentment. Once we have an idea of the purpose, then we can start to appreciate and learn. It is worthwhile to spend some time thinking about these purposes, both “official” and personal ones, in order to maximize student learning. This textbook helps students systematically study how general education requirements are developed, their history, post-graduation value, etc. It emphasizes exploration of the significance of individual learning outcomes, especially through the lens of John Lewis’ philosophy of “good, necessary trouble.” For instructors adopting this book, it is designed to assign in its entirety or in parts as instructors can choose to emphasize relevant learning outcomes. It is also designed for use by advisors, especially with advisees who express concerns over taking certain requirements.
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How to Learn Like A Pro
Phyllis Nissila · Open Oregon Educational Resources · 2016
How to Learn Like a Pro! features the “big six” effective learning/study skills topics: learning styles and preferences, time and materials management, critical thinking and reading, note-taking, memory principles, and test-taking techniques. Each of the six units featuring a total of twenty-three lessons and accompanying exercises (with a dash of humor here and there) were developed with the diverse student body of the community college in mind as well as learners in other educational venues.
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Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research
Cheryl Lowry · Ohio State University Libraries · 2016
Choosing & Using Sources presents a process for academic research and writing, from formulating your research question to selecting good information and using it effectively in your research assignments. Additional chapters cover understanding types of sources, searching for information, and avoiding plagiarism. Each chapter includes self-quizzes and activities to reinforce core concepts and help you apply them. There are also appendices for quick reference on search tools, copyright basics, and fair use. What experts are saying about Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research: “…a really fantastic contribution that offers a much needed broadened perspective on the process of research, and is packed to the brim with all kinds of resources and advice on how to effectively use them. The chapter on plagiarism is really excellent, and the chapter on searching for sources is utterly brilliant.” – Chris Manion, PhDCoordinator of Writing Across the Curriculum at Ohio State University “… an excellent resource for students, with engaging content, graphics, and examples—very compelling. The coverage of copyright is outstanding.” – J. Craig GibsonCo-chair of ACRL's Task Force on Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education
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Preparing for College Success
Amy Baldwin; Lisa August; James Bennett; Larry Buland · OpenStax, Rice University
OpenStax’s Preparing for College Success is a comprehensive resource that provides secondary students critical information to prepare for their “to and through” college journey. The book addresses the evolving challenges and opportunities of today’s diverse students. College match, preparing for transition, time management and study skills, building relationships, financial literacy, and career planning are all reflected throughout the material. Preparing for College Success also includes an array of student-centered features including scenarios and advice from current college students that can support robust classroom conversation or individual learning. Based on OpenStax’s open (CC-BY) license and its wide array of formats, educators may remix and reuse these elements according to their approach. OpenStax textbooks are always free online and as a PDF. Robust instructor ancillaries will include lecture slides, an instructor resource manual, a test bank, and other resources.
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College Success Concise
Amy Baldwin; Lisa August; James Bennett; Larry Buland · OpenStax, Rice University
OpenStax College Success Concise serves First Year Experience, Student Success, and College Transition courses, and can also be used as a supplementary resource in courses across the curriculum. With the input of hundreds of instructors and academic success experts, the authors carefully prioritized the most critical topics to align to briefer courses. The offering covers material such as college culture, time management, mindset, study skills, test preparation, financial literacy, health, and planning for the future. While much of the material is very similar to the original College Success book, this version was holistically edited and updated. Users will see additions such as a new section on group work and greatly expanded coverage of stress management and wellbeing. While College Success Concise is a self-contained work with a logical flow and narrative, our open (CC BY-NC-SA) license and multiple formats allow instructors and students to utilize content from the original College Success text, as well. Ancillaries such as the Instructor’s Manual, Test Bank, and Lecture Slides will specifically support College Success Concise.
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College Success
Amy Baldwin; Lisa August; James Bennett; Sabrina Mathues · OpenStax, Rice University
OpenStax College Success is a comprehensive and contemporary resource that serves First Year Experience, Student Success, and College Transition courses. Developed with the support of hundreds of faculty and coordinators, the book addresses the evolving challenges and opportunities of today’s diverse students. Engagement, self-analysis, personal responsibility, and student support are reflected throughout the material. College Success also includes an array of student surveys and opinion polls, and OpenStax will regularly provide the results to adopting faculty. Based on OpenStax’s open (CC BY-NC-SA) license and its wide array of formats, faculty may remix and reuse these elements according to their approach. OpenStax textbooks are always free online, and as a PDF. Robust instructor ancillaries will include lecture slides, an instructor resource manual, a test bank, and other resources.