Open Textbooks @ UQ Catalogue

This book provides detailed foundational tools to assess and evaluate the costs and benefits associated with public or private decision making through a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). This book is targeted at students with preliminary foundations in economics. The content and activities have been developed to support learning in ECON2101 Cost Benefit Analysis offered as a course at UQ.

Using language data to learn about language: A teachers’ guide to classroom corpus use contains English, Portuguese and Spanish teaching resources to be used in international language classes. These resources can be used in classrooms with internet access (hands on) or without (hands off). The idea behind using corpora in the classroom is that learners will play the role of language “detectives”, taking charge of their own learning process while working with others to investigate the language in use. Corpora are large collections of electronic text that learners can query and manipulate to learn about language through repeated exposure. Learners are encouraged to observe data, create hypotheses, formulate rules on linguistic patterns (i.e., an inductive approach), and/or verify the validity of grammatical rules from textbooks (i.e., a deductive approach). This perspective is called Data-Driven Learning (DDL), and is now widely featured in Computer Aided Language Learning (CALL) research (Boulton, 2010; Crosthwaite, 2020; Frankenberg-Garcia, 2021; Pérez-Paredes, 2020; Scott, 2010; among others). This collection of ready-made DDL lesson plans is curated to help both new and experienced teachers introduce DDL concepts into their language lesson planning. In each lesson, teachers and learners will find a description of the target tool and a link to a short video, in which the author(s) of the lesson explain(s) how this tool can be used. Detailed lesson plans are included, which can be used as a starting point or as an inspiration for the creation of future class activities. Most of the lesson activities can be done 1) with access to the internet (hands on); and/or 2) without access to the internet (hands off). This is useful for schools where students are not allowed to use their own devices, or where internet access is not available.

Designed specifically for UQ College Academic English Tertiary Preparation Program students, this Pressbook offers interactive activities and strategies for developing and refining academic writing skills. Learners are introduced to the writing basics, such as parts of speech, sentence and paragraph structure, right through to writing, editing , and refining their own essay. Students will have the opportunity to review key parts of the writing process from interpreting their assignment instructions, organizing their ideas, drafting their writing, and revising their work before final submission. In addition, students will learn key oral presentation skills for both group and individual class presentations. Also, it offers students the opportunity to develop as critical thinkers and write sound and valid academic arguments. The contents are supported by in-class practice and while it has been designed as an integral part of the TPP Academic English syllabus, it will enhance the writing skills of anyone new to academic writing.

‘What an amazing resource for students. The mixture of accessible and informative text, case studies, interactive activities, and more make this such an engaging read.’  Professor Kelly Fielding, University of Queensland

‘This book is an excellent resource for students, practitioners, and community organisations among others, which provides a comprehensive overview and deeper insights situating public interest communication in society.’ Assistant Professor Michele Clark, Bond University

‘Students will find Johnston and Gulliver’s book an excellent introduction to the theoretical debates around the concept of the ‘public interest’, an idea which is of central importance in ethics, democratic government, the law, and the notion of a ‘free press’.’ Dr Ian Somerville, University of Leicester

‘This is a fabulous introduction to key concepts in public interest communication. It untangles the notion of ‘publics’ and shows how theories of the public interest, the public sphere, and discourse arenas, among others, intersect with communication practice.’  Dr Skye Doherty, University of Queensland

‘This book shines a spotlight on the strategic value and purpose of communication by showing its centrality to finding solutions. While addressing action as well as theory, it goes beyond the usual tactical-level discussion to focus on the context in which communication contributes to society.’ Dr Leanne Glenny, University of South Australia

This book showcases the many contributions that women worldwide have made to tourism research. It also serves as a collective mentoring platform, containing letters written by women to the future generations of tourism researchers and passing on invaluable observations and advice.

Exercise Delivery is an open access, introductory text intended for students and professionals in the field of exercise science and exercise physiology. It contains instructional videos on the delivery of exercises and their variations, with supplementary activities on the selection of exercises, muscle recruitment and activation during exercises, and the adaptation of exercises for various populations. The book is sectioned into resistance exercise delivery for each of the key muscle groups of the human body, and aerobic exercise delivery.

+JUNTXS is an open access educational resource which can be used in conjunction with a variety of approaches to support intermediate learners of Spanish. This media-rich learning resource is designed to guide learners in their Spanish language learning journey through a critical and intercultural lens and to provide regular opportunities to explore, practice and improve their ability to read, speak, and understand this language as it is used across the Spanish-speaking world.

JUNTXS is an open access educational resource which can be used in conjunction with a variety of approaches to support beginning learners of Spanish. This media-rich learning resource is designed to guide learners in their Spanish language learning journey through a critical and intercultural lens and to provide regular opportunities to explore, practise and improve their ability to read, speak, and understand this language as it is used across the Spanish-speaking world.

This book explores how Airbnb has developed from its early days as a niche accommodation provider to the alternative traveller segment to a mainstream booking platform for short-term accommodation and other travel-related services. Every chapter discusses three distinct periods of time: the time before, during and after COVID-19. The pandemic has disrupted Airbnb’s growth and expansion trajectory, leading Airbnb to focus once again on the key to its success: local communities.

This book examines different practical hospitality training work experience models implemented by degree granting institutions throughout the world. Through a series of research essays and reflective case studies, the book explores the range of on and off campus models used by tertiary providers to ensure their students gain practical experience that complements their formal classroom education. The book is organized into five sections: Practical learning in on-campus commercial hotels;  Practical learning in on-campus training hotels; Practical learning in on campus training units; Off campus practicums and internships, and; Internship experiences from students and industry.