3 Tools and Training Available

Once you decide on some general practices for managing your OER project, you may choose to work with specific project management tools or learn more through project management trainings. Here are some resources we recommend:

Project management tools

• Trello: This project management tool uses boards, cards, and lists to organize complex projects. There are various pricing models, including a no-cost version.
• Asana: Asana is another project management tool that allows teams to organize content in a variety of different views. Like Trello, Asana offers a no-cost option, as well.
• Zoho Projects: This tool uses Gantt charts, tasks, timesheets, and other tools to keep teams organized.  A no-cost option is available.

Project management trainings

• Project Management Institute: PMI offers trainings, professional development materials, and certifications in project management. There are costs associated with many of the events and publications offered, but you can find some free content under “Learning and Events.”
• GoSkills – Team Leadership: This course on team leadership is taken asynchronously and includes video tutorials, personalized learning options, and certifications. There is a cost associated with this course, but you can sign up for a free trial.

Communication Tools

It’s also helpful to decide on channels of communication with your project team and leadership team. You can use Twitter, Slack, or email in any combination for day-to-day communication, and use video conferencing via Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts as needed.

Take into account where your collaborators are located – if they are in different time zones than you are, an asynchronous mode of communication might be preferred. Other team members may also have varying access to fast or reliable internet, so video calls are not always the best option.

Writing Software

Lastly, you should consider what software you will use for authoring, editing, formatting, and publishing your book. For your grant projects, you will be required to use Pressbooks for your final publication, but you can draft text in Google Docs, Word, or any other platform that you prefer, so long as you can transfer your text into Pressbooks later on.

Pressbooks training

Interested in getting some hands-on Pressbooks support? Contact Abbey Elder, Regent OER Grant Manager at Iowa State University, to set up a one-on-one training for your team, or register for the online Pressbooks training later this fall:

Publishing Open Textbooks with Pressbooks: A Hands-on Workshop

Tuesday, October 5, 2021: 11:00am – 12:30pm

During this workshop, attendees will get:
•    access to examples of the types of projects that can be created in Pressbooks,
•    an overview of various tools and features available in the platform, and
•    hands-on experience editing and writing in a practice Pressbook.
This workshop will be held virtually via Zoom. Pre-registration is required to set up attendees with an account on the Pressbooks platform.