For Students: How to Use This Book
The “how to use this book” page is very helpful for readers who are new to the Pressbooks platform and will explain the features that are available and how to navigate the content. This page could also be helpful for readers to understand and be prepared for all of the supplementary content they are about to encounter. This is where you can explain which textboxes are being used and what information can be found in them. You could also cover how to use the glossary and footnote features. You could also use this page to go through the outline of the book and what content each chapter covers.
Do not remove the Adaptation Statement at the end of the chapter!
The feature used in this template is this shaded textbox and we have explained how to use these textboxes below.
How to use this page template:
- Update the Webbook Vs Other Formats section to include information about quizzes and videos.
- Insert book information where indicated with [square brackets]
If you are unfamiliar with the Pressbooks platform, here is how to get the most out of this webbook.
Tips for Using This Textbook
Searching
If using the online webbook, you can use the search bar in the top right corner to search the entire book for a key word or phrase. To search a specific chapter, open that chapter and use your browser’s search feature by hitting [Ctrl] + [F] on your keyboard if using a Windows computer or [Command] + [F] if using a Mac computer.
The [Ctrl] + [F] and [Command] + [F] keys will also allow you to search a PDF, HTML, EPUB, and MOBI files if you are reading them on a computer.
If using an eBook app to read this textbook, the app should have a built-in search tool.
Navigating
This textbook has a table of contents to help you navigate through the book easier. If using the online webbook, you can find the full table of contents on the book’s homepage or by selecting “Contents” from the top menu when you are in a chapter.
Annotating
If you like to highlight or write on your textbooks, you can do that by getting a print copy, using the Digital PDF in Adobe Reader, using the highlighting tools in eReader apps, or using the Hypothesis plugin (if enabled).
Available Formats
This textbook is available in the following formats:
- Online webbook. You can read this textbook online on a computer or mobile device in one of the following browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
- PDF. You can download this book as a PDF to read on a computer (Digital PDF) or print it out (Print PDF).
- Mobile. If you want to read this textbook on your phone or tablet, you can use the EPUB (eReader) or MOBI (Kindle) files.
- HTML. An HTML file can be opened in a browser. It has very little style so it doesn’t look very nice, but some people might find it useful.
You can access the online webbook and download any of the formats for free here: [Book title and URL]. To download the book in a different format, look for the “Download this book” drop-down menu and select the file type you want.
| Format | Internet required? | Device | Required apps | Accessibility Features | Screen reader compatible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online webbook | Yes | Computer, tablet, phone | An Internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari) | WCAG 2.0 AA compliant, option to enlarge text, and compatible with browser text-to-speech tools | Yes |
| No | Computer, print copy | Adobe Reader (for reading on a computer) or a printer | Ability to highlight and annotate the text. If reading on the computer, you can zoom in. | Unsure | |
| EPUB and MOBI | No | Computer, tablet, phone | Kindle app (MOBI) or eReader app (EPUB) | Option to enlarge text, change font style, size, and colour. | Unsure |
| HTML | No | Computer, tablet, phone | An Internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari) | WCAG 2.0 AA compliant and compatible with browser text-to-speech tools. | Yes |
Webbook vs. Other Formats
The webbook includes a number of interactive and multimedia components. These include video walk-throughs of practice questions and interactive quizzes at the end of each chapter. If you are not using the webbook to access this textbook, the videos and interactive quizzes will not be included. Instead, your copy of the text will provided a link to where you can access those interactive elements.
However, the interactive activities and video answers are also provided in alternate formats for people not using the webbook. In the case of the videos answers, the answers can also be found in Appendix B: Answers to Practice Questions. As for the chapter quizzes, those questions have been made available in a static format in Appendix C: Offline Copies of Chapter Quizzes.
Even if you decide to use a PDF or a print copy to access the textbook, you can access the webbook and download any other formats at any time.
Whether you’re looking for ideas on how to organize your Pressbook, learning how to fill out the front and back matter of your Pressbook, or importing this book to get a headstart on creating content, we hope you find this template helpful.
Keep an eye out for these features
Examples
Examples textboxes contain links to other Pressbooks that are using that type of page so you can see what they look like with textbook content.
Adapted from For Students: How to Access and Use this Textbook by Chad Flinn and Mark Overgaard, licensed under CC-BY.
Examples
