Announcing (and hiring for!) our exciting new publication: vTextbook

[enwiabe]

Following on from our enormously successful study guides, our next natural move is textbooks.

But they're boring, unengaging and it can often be a frustrating experience to learn theory from text on a page.

Video content for learning is (at its best) very informative and has the benefit of being engaging and interesting when delivered correctly. We will be once more employing student experts to enthusiastically explain their understanding of theory to you in ways they know you will be able to understand, having been there just a couple of years ago.

We plan to launch in March of next year with a range of 12 subjects. vTextbook will perfectly complement our study guides, with vTextbook honing your understanding of subject theory and the study guides refining your exam technique and problem solving skills.

Sign up for our e-mail list at http://vtextbook.launchrock.com/


How to get involved?

Are you a past high achiever? Do you want to be one of our vTextbook content producers? Click the following link and read our position description and put an application together!

http://www.atarnotes.com/resources/ContentManagerPositionDescription.pdf

If you're currently in year 12 and awaiting your VCE results, applications are open until December 22. So don't sweat it, just apply after you receive them!

We're looking forward to making another huge splash in the VCE resources market, providing high-quality video content to VCE students. Post any questions about VTextbook below and any suggestions you may have. We're still building the product, so we're very open to your feedback!

[Alwin]

There's no physics lol.....
I can understand no spesh (low enrolment numbers) but maybe physics just didn't cut it?

So me being curious, are the subjects offered based on AN board activity, total enrolment numbers, or just everyone's love of VCE physics on this site

the list of subjects offered (from the link)

• English
• Accounting
• Legal
• History
• Methods
• Further
• Health and Human Development
• Psychology
• PE
• Business Management
• Chemistry
• Biology

[pi]

There's no physics lol.....
I can understand no spesh (low enrolment numbers) but maybe physics just didn't cut it?

We shouldn't be encouraging future students to take Physics

[enwiabe]

There's no physics lol.....
I can understand no spesh (low enrolment numbers) but maybe physics just didn't cut it?

So me being curious, are the subjects offered based on AN board activity, total enrolment numbers, or just everyone's love of VCE physics on this site

the list of subjects offered (from the link)

• English
• Accounting
• Legal
• History
• Methods
• Further
• Health and Human Development
• Psychology
• PE
• Business Management
• Chemistry
• Biology

Based largely on enrolment numbers, but do you wanna do Physics?

[sam.utute]

Is this going to be similar to the School of Success? Is AN partnering with them?

I found this online after a quick google:
http://schoolofsuccess.com.au/career-opportunities/

Curious

[Alwin]

Based largely on enrolment numbers, but do you wanna do Physics?

Yeh, I'd be ready and willing to do physics even it has a smaller potential subscription number, along with anyone else who wants to ofc.

But reading the PDF, I understand that along with the videos there are notes for the vTextbook too?
I dunno much about running a business, but if you have to print out + distribute notes too I guess enwiabe it's up to you if you think you have to recoup printing costs with a smaller potential clientele

[Lasercookie]

I've got a few questions:

Will the videos be downloadable? I can understand copyright concerns, but being able to download videos for later viewing, or for viewing on multiple platforms is surely a convenience.

What's the scope of the thing? Given that you're calling it "vTextbook", how will this set itself apart from current textbooks? Considering the commonly expressed complaints about VCE Physics, Mathematics and so on AN, I've always thought that textbooks would be able to rectify some of those flaws when it comes to inspiring students and encouraging a thorough understanding of concepts. Explanations of theory and linking concepts is probably where, say, current VCE Maths books are a bit lacking. Will there be things like proofs and derivations shown when it's appropriate (and not overly complicated), or will the "general curriculum" stuff be extremely concise and more going through example problems. The latter I'd probably consider to be a study guide, rather than a textbook.

[enwiabe]

Yeh, I'd be ready and willing to do physics even it has a smaller potential subscription number, along with anyone else who wants to ofc.

But reading the PDF, I understand that along with the videos there are notes for the vTextbook too?
I dunno much about running a business, but if you have to print out + distribute notes too I guess enwiabe it's up to you if you think you have to recoup printing costs with a smaller potential clientele

Nope, there aren't any notes. Which part of the document says that? Also shoot an e-mail through to [email protected] so we can get in touch with you regarding Physics.

[enwiabe]

I've got a few questions:

Will the videos be downloadable? I can understand copyright concerns, but being able to download videos for later viewing, or for viewing on multiple platforms is surely a convenience.

What's the scope of the thing? Given that you're calling it "vTextbook", how will this set itself apart from current textbooks? Considering the commonly expressed complaints about VCE Physics, Mathematics and so on AN, I've always thought that textbooks would be able to rectify some of those flaws when it comes to inspiring students and encouraging a thorough understanding of concepts. Explanations of theory and linking concepts is probably where, say, current VCE Maths books are a bit lacking. Will there be things like proofs and derivations shown when it's appropriate (and not overly complicated), or will the "general curriculum" stuff be extremely concise and more going through example problems. The latter I'd probably consider to be a study guide, rather than a textbook.

Good questions, laser. Videos will be watchable as many times as you like.

Our theory videos that will cover every part of the course in appropriate depth. Proofs will certainly be there where necessary. There will also be practice multiple choice questions with video solutions. The practice questions will be small exercises to consolidate knowledge rather than refine exam technique. E.g. there won't be nearly as many questions in vTextbook as there are in our study guides.

[silverpixeli]

Hey guys,

It says "Please note that positions will fill prior to the closing date, therefore early applications are encouraged", is it worth waiting for results or should I send in an application beforehand and then amend it with my results when they come out or something?
EDIT: I know it says don't sweat in the original post, just curious as I don't want to miss this opportunity :)

Based largely on enrolment numbers, but do you wanna do Physics?

Pending results, I'd definitely apply for physics if it was an option, regardless of the lower number of subscribers.

[enwiabe]

Hey guys,

It says "Please note that positions will fill prior to the closing date, therefore early applications are encouraged", is it worth waiting for results or should I send in an application beforehand and then amend it with my results when they come out or something?
EDIT: I know it says don't sweat in the original post, just curious as I don't want to miss this opportunity

Pending results, I'd definitely apply for physics if it was an option, regardless of the lower number of subscribers.

Still wait until results. Any good application will be considered up until the closing date. We will need multiple people for each subject, so don't sweat it.

[Camo]

Just to get an understanding Daniel of how the content will be laid out. From my perception I'm guessing what you mean by the appropriate depth would a given section of dot point from the study design given in a video format?

Is this open to feedback because honestly I would have loaded a e-textbook/flashcard kind of design where I might log in to something very similar to the study design for that subject and perhaps break each dot point into a separate video.

E.G. Taken from the Psychology Study Design.

mechanism of memory formation:
– the neuron in memory formation including the role of axons, dendrites, synapses and
neurotransmitters
– role of the temporal lobe including the hippocampus and the amygdala
– consolidation theory
– memory decline over the lifespan
– amnesia resulting from brain trauma and neurodegenerative diseases including dementia and
Alzheimer’s disease

Would we expect something such as a series of short vidoes to discuss these dot points and then a multiple choice section after with video explanations?

[Alwin]

Nope, there aren't any notes. Which part of the document says that? Also shoot an e-mail through to [email protected] so we can get in touch with you regarding Physics.

Gosh keep on getting DCed here, like my 4th attempt at posting a reply. But yeah, my mistake. It says:
"Our videos give students the power to play, pause, rewind and fast-forward.
Our notes are catered for student purposes.
Our tools are designed to make learning easier and more engaging.“

Didn't realise at first you were referring to the study guide/new rebranded notes already in circulation, not the new videos. Opps

[alchemy]

Yeh, I'd be ready and willing to do physics...

Alwin doing Physics...the jokes await us. 

[Stick]

I'm seriously considering offering myself for Further, but I'm afraid that I'll invest a lot of time in this and then not get remunerated well because only a small number of students bought the product. My question is, would you be willing to offer a minimum payment for all contributors regardless of sales? Just as an example, we get paid $10 for each hour of content we make, which stands until the royalty exceeds this amount. I'm just a tad hesitant after what happened with a particular user and the study guides they wrote...