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Open Textbooks

Principles of Cultivar Development

Walter R. Fehr, Water P. Suza

Description

Principles of Cultivar Development is intended to help you learn how to be a successful manager of a cultivar development program. In this text, you will apply the principles learned in Plant Breeding Methods to design a breeding program that makes effective use of available resources and alternative breeding strategies. By the end of this volume, readers will be able to describe the process for developing clonal, pure-line, hybrid, and synthetic cultivars. Each chapter includes additional readings and examples of how breeders have implemented the concepts in their breeding programs.

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Oral Communication for Non-Native Speakers of English

Agata Guskaroska, Erik Goodale, Timothy Kochem, Monica Ghosh, Lily Compton, Elena Cotos

Description

This book is an essential instructional tool for developing oral communication skills in academic settings, specifically designed for international graduate students, teaching assistants, postdoctoral researchers, and those preparing to enter academia. The second edition introduces dedicated chapters on developing effective pronunciation, listening skills and speaking fluency. Through its wide array of interactive H5P activities, suitable for both classroom teaching and individual practice, learners can actively develop the skills needed for success in English-speaking academic environments.
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Quantitative Problem Solving in Natural Resources

Peter Moore

Description

This book is a collection of resources focused on solving quantitative problems that non-mathematicians interested in biology and environmental sciences may find compelling. It is not intended as a guide to be followed through a series of skills, but rather as a resource to support the problem-solving process and help lower conceptual and computational barriers along the way.

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通过表达动物的汉字学习中文书写系统: 起源、演变和文化

胜兰 张

Description

在内容的取舍上,本书主要包括了重要的动物汉字的起源、它们的字形以及与现代楷体字的联系,从这些字衍生出的其他字、它们的常见用法及文化含义,并展示了历史对当今的持续影响,也阐释了汉字产生发展背后的思维理念

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Teaching Pronunciation with Confidence: A Resource for ESL/EFL Teachers and Learners

Agata Guskaroska, Zoe Zawadzki, John M. Levis, Kate Challis, Maksim Prikazchikov

Description

Teaching Pronunciation with Confidence is an essential resource for both English teachers and learners, designed to effectively build strong pronunciation skills and knowledge of pronunciation. This guide covers key topics, including English sounds, word stress, intonation, rhythm, prominence, connected speech, and pronunciation diagnostics to guide improvement. The book includes a wide array of interactive H5P activities and sound recordings, which can be used for classroom teaching, or homework and individual practice. These exercises provide practical experience, reinforcing the concepts covered in each chapter.

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Fundamentals of Human Anatomy Laboratory Manual

Carly Manz

Description

This laboratory manual is meant to be used in a lab course that accompanies a college-level introductory human anatomy course. It covers the language of anatomy, cells and tissues, and the organ systems that comprise the human body.

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Plant Breeding Methods

Walter R. Fehr, Walter P. Suza

Description

This text has been compiled to provide an overview of how plant breeders develop cultivars of plant species. The methods that breeders use depend directly on the type of cultivar used to produce a commercial crop. he four most common types of cultivars are (a) clonal cultivars (b) synthetic cultivars (c) pure-line cultivars and (d) hybrid cultivars. These types of cultivars will be discussed throughout the book, alongside review questions for self-study.

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Open Signals and Systems Laboratory Exercises

Aaron Fonseca, Julie Dickerson

Description

Open Signals and Systems Laboratory Exercises is a collection of lab assignments that have been used in EE 224: Signals and Systems I in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University. These lab exercises have been curated, edited, and presented in a consistent format to improve student learning. This second edition provides a thorough coverage of the MATLAB concepts needed to complete each exercise, and incorporates hardware descriptions and explanations into the exercises that had integrated new lab equipment.

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Experiences in Biodiversity Research: A Field Course

Thea B. Gessler

Description

This handbook was developed to support the course, Experiences in Biodiversity Research. This course is intended to provide early undergraduates with experience in the practice of biodiversity research and to demystify the path to careers in this field.
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Social Determinants of Health in Nursing Education: Integrating Into Curriculum and Practice

Dawn M. Bowker, Karla S. Kerkove

Description

This workbook was established with nurse educators and nursing students in mind to provide knowledge, guidance, and support for integrating social determinants of health (SDOH) across the nursing education spectrum. Contents from this workbook are applicable to pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing programs, RN-to-BSN programs, and graduate education.
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Human Reproduction: A Clinical Approach

Hala Bastawros

Description

This book is designed to provide a deep understanding of the biological and biomedical aspects of human reproduction, covering a both basic reproductive biology and clinical applications.

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Adaptive Apparel Design

Ellen McKinney, Rachel Eike

Description

This instructional text and designer resources have been prepared to support those learning about adaptive apparel design. The text is easy for students, scholars, and designers to use, and is organized around the apparel design process: research, sketching, developing a sample notebook, mood or inspiration board, pattern work, first sample, and the completed ensemble. Users can read from beginning to end or jump into resources related to their current phase of design.

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Comprehensive Musicianship, A Practical Resource

Randall Harlow, Heather Peyton, Jonathan Clarke Schwabe, Daniel Swilley

Description

This OER presents an integrated suite of learning resources developed for the core music theory and musicianship curriculum at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music. It provides a more comprehensive symbiosis of musicianship and music theory learning than can be found in existing textbooks, including engaging and progressive video demonstrations and interactive listening and vocal exercises that integrate musical knowledge with foundational musical skills. This OER affords the flexibility to shape core musicianship and music theory learning to meet the needs of changing School of Music demographics well into the future, a resource for innovative and inviting music programs accessible to all.

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Methods of Teaching Early Literacy

Nandita Gurjar, Sohyun Meacham, Constance Beecher

Description

Theories, teaching strategies, and instructional materials pertinent to teaching reading and writing in grades PK-3, with an emphasis on integrating reading, writing, speaking, and listening, as well as integration across content areas while addressing diversity and inclusion.
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Basic Scientific Food Preparation Lab Manual

Description

This lab book is intended for use in both the lab and kitchen. Each section of the book contains learning objectives, lab problems to be solved, recipes, questions, and observation charts for the input of data.

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Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design

Jacqulyn A. Baughman

Description

A collection of readings and exercises aligned with the course, ME 270, Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design, at Iowa State University. This course provides an overview of mechanical engineering design with applications to thermal and mechanical systems, and an introduction to current design practices used in industry. As part of the course design, learners will complete a semester-long team project focused on addressing societal needs.

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Basic Engineering Data Collection and Analysis

Stephen B. Vardeman, J. Marcus Jobe

Description

In Basic Engineering Data Collection and Analysis, Stephen B. Vardeman and J. Marcus Jobe stress the use of statistical concepts and methods in engineering practice. Step by step, students get real engineering data, examples, and case studies that illustrate the use and importance of the book's statistical methods in realistic, thoroughly detailed situations. Many of the text's exercises are derived from self-directed engineering student group projects. These features encourage students to work through the text material by carrying out their own data collection and analysis projects, from problem formulation through preparation of professional technical reports—just as if they were on the job.

Additional materials (beyond the text itself) are available in the "Chapters" dropdown menu below, including:

  • individual book chapters
  • chapter formula sheets
  • book datasets in digital form
  • a complete solutions manual for book exercises
  • a PDF supplement providing R language code and output for book examples
  • files holding the R language code illustrated in the document
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Individual and Family Development, Health, and Well-being

Diana Lang

Description

This book provides an overview of lifespan developmental tasks (physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional) examined from individual and family theoretical perspectives. It covers topics related to families, diversity, individual and family health and well-being, and reciprocal relationships as affected by external factors.
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A Guide to MATLAB for ME 160

Austin Bray, Reza Montazami

Description

This textbook provides an introduction to the MATLAB programming language for first-year mechanical engineering students enrolled in ME 160. Designed to follow the content taught in class, this book provides a supplement to in-class learning that is presented at a level that is understandable to a student with no experience coding before coming to Iowa State University.
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Tutorials of Visual Graphic Communication Programs for Interior Design 2

Yongyeon Cho

Description

This book is for the advanced level of both architecture and interior design students who in-depth knowledge and skills of computer-aided visualization software. The author developed a total of twenty-two chapters to teach practical graphic presentation techniques for architectural presentations. Readers will learn these techniques by following step-by-step tutorials. This book is included multiple exercises for the reader's practice. After completing the tutorial with user practice, the readers can apply comprehensive techniques and knowledge to their design projects.

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Introduction to Soil Science

Amber Anderson

Description

This textbook introduces readers to the basics of soil science, including: the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils; soil formation, classification, and global distribution; soil health, soils and humanity, and sustainable land management.

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Genetics, Agriculture, and Biotechnology

Walter Suza, Donald Lee

Description

This textbook provides an introduction to plant genetics and biotechnology for the advancement of agriculture. A clear and structured introduction to the topic for learners new to the field of genetics, the book includes: an introduction to the life cycle of the cell, DNA and how it relates to genes and chromosomes, DNA analysis, recombinant DNA, biotechnology, and transmission genetics.

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Library 160: Introduction to College Level Research

Description

You will learn how scholarly information is produced, organized, and accessed; how to construct and use effective search strategies in a variety of web tools and scholarly databases; how to choose finding tools appropriate to the type of information you need; critical thinking skills in the evaluation of resources; and best practices in the ethical use of information.

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Open Signals and Systems Laboratory Exercises

Andrew K. Bolstad, Julie A. Dickerson

Description

Open Signals and Systems Laboratory Exercises is a collection of lab assignments that have been used in EE 224: Signals and Systems I in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University. These lab exercises have been curated, edited, and presented in a consistent format to improve student learning.
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Food Product Development Lab Manual

Kate Gilbert, Ken Prusa

Description

A practical how-to illustrating the process of developing a new food product from ideation and formulation to processing and lastly commercialization. This book highlights the overall process and gives instructions for each of the steps along the way.

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Humanizing Science through STEAM Challenges

E.J. Bahng, John M. Hauptman

Description

In a science methods course during the Covid19 pandemic, 51 future elementary teachers authored children's books and then read them aloud as part of a giving-back, service-learning activity as Open Educational Resources (OER). The 51 children's stories and their accompanying audiobooks aim to integrate STEM and the Arts to humanize science and scientific inquiry with history and philosophy of science in mind.

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A Mixed Course-Based Research Approach to Human Physiology

Karri Haen Whitmer

Description

The Biology 256 Laboratory course was designed to provide students with hands-on access to modern techniques in human physiological analyses using the course-based research pedagogical approach. In this course, students will learn how to perform literature searches; generate research questions and hypotheses; design experiments; collect, analyze, visualize and interpret data; and present scientific findings to others. The Biol 256L curriculum offers a high-impact human physiology experience that fosters the critical thinking skills required to be a successful citizen in a modern world filled with misinformation.

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Tutorials of Visual Graphic Communication Programs for Interior Design

Yongyeon Cho

Description

This book is for the beginning level of both architecture and interior design students who learn computer graphic communication software. The author developed multiple tutorials to teach three computer graphic applications, AutoCAD, Revit, and Enscape. AutoCAD is an essential computer drafting software which is 2D drawing software. Revit is a Building Information Modeling software, which is 3D based modeling software. Lastly, Enscape is a real-time rendering, animation, and virtual reality plug-in for users' 4D experiences.
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Teaching Math for Emergent Bilinguals: Building on Culture, Language, and Identity

Ji-Yeong I, Ricardo Martinez

Description

This book is designed for pre-service/in-service teachers and others who will work or work with K–12 students who have linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds, especially students of other languages (English language learners/Emergent bilingual/multilingual).
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Oral Communication for Non-Native Speakers of English

Timothy Kochem, Monica Ghosh, Lily Compton, Elena Cotos

Description

This textbook includes materials on listening, speaking, lexicogrammar, pragmatics, and pronunciation.

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Dress, Appearance, and Diversity in U.S. Society

Kelly L. Reddy-Best

Description

This textbook addresses how identity influences appearance, fashion, style, and the body.

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Applied Industrial Electricity: Theory and Application

Tony R. Kuphaldt, John R. Haughery

Description

This free electrical engineering/technology textbook provides a series of chapters covering electricity and electronics. The information provided is great for students, makers, and professionals who are looking for an application-centric coverage of this field.
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Parenting and Family Diversity Issues

Diana L. Lang

Description

This book has been created for students and all individuals who work with children and families (e.g., educators, parents, caregivers, direct support workers, etc.) in diverse contexts.  It is imperative to understand how and what factors may influence child outcomes across the lifespan. Therefore, key concepts related to parenting, child-rearing, care-giving, and parenting education are outlined in this textbook to provide historical, theoretical, and practical perspectives across vast settings and developmental domains.

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Online Learning Toolbox

Evrim Baran

Description

Online Learning Toolbox is a collection of seminal readings with commentary on different topics of online learning.

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LIB 160: Information Literacy

Description

The purpose of Library 160 is to introduce students to the use of academic research libraries, available library services, and online information resources, with an emphasis on information literacy and the research process. In this course, you will learn how scholarly information is produced, organized, and accessed; how to construct and use effective search strategies in a variety of web tools and scholarly databases; how to choose finding tools appropriate to the type of information you need; critical thinking skills in the evaluation of resources; and best practices in the ethical use of information.

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Quantitative Problem Solving in Natural Resources

Peter L. Moore

Description

This text is intended to support courses that bridge the divide between mathematics typically encountered in U.S. high school curricula and the practical problems that natural resource students might engage with in their disciplinary coursework and professional internships.

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Copyright and Fair Use for Teachers

Larysa Nadolny

Description

This resource will introduce you to the laws and best practices that support digital learning and digital teaching in the 21st century. You will become familiar with the basic foundations of copyright and fair use while exploring case studies in education.

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