6.1 The Final Check
Lauri M. Aesoph
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Review your open textbook properly and make changes whenever required.
We have learned that after a textbook was proofread, it’s a good idea to conduct one last review. This task should be done by someone with an eye for detail, such as the fixer or copyeditor, a colleague, or Instructional Designer or OER staff member. This person would not necessarily make direct edits to the work but instead report any discovered inconsistencies or suggested changes to adhere to the style guide. Doing it this way ensures it won’t disrupt the completed copy editing and proofreading. For ideal results, give the assigned individual a few days to a week away from the textbook before they begin, or work with someone that has not yet reviewed the book. This break allows the checker to clear their head for better concentration and approach the review with a fresh perspective.
Like other phases of production, establish the scope of this final check. The amount of time available and length and complexity of the textbook will help shape this plan. Though, as is true for many aspects of textbook production, this final check can feel like it is never finished.
If you’re uncertain about what or how much of the textbook to review, prioritize the items on your list and let the allotted time determine what you will focus on. Examples of aspects you could prioritize are to:
- Double check the layout of the book, such as its learning objectives, exercises, key takeaways and heading structure.
- Review the legality of the resources added to your textbook by verifying all items borrowed from external sources, such as photos and graphs, do in fact hold an open-copyright license or are in the public domain.
- Ensure that citations and attribution statements are present where necessary.
There are other aspects that could be reviewed beyond these examples. The second and third items mentioned above are directly related to submitting grant deliverables, covered in more detail in the next chapter. OER staff are available to assist in the role of fixer, which will help meet these grant requirements.
