Considerations For Selecting Open Education and Open Access Readings

Abstract

Textbook costs are increasing. Students opt to get through a course without the textbook to save money. Faculty recognizing this challenge might consider free alternatives to the conventional textbook to save students money and increase the likelihood of students having access to the textbook by using open access and open education resources. In this...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Teaching and Learning in Sociology

Resource Type(s):

Essay

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

This resource comes out of a three-semester project where I tested open access and open education resources in Introduction to Sociology compared to traditional, print textbooks. I formally surveyed students regarding the goals assessments listed above. Individual faculty should consult with their students formally or informally to gauge how students are...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Provide students with affordable textbook options while maintaining overall course learning objectives.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Compare final grades in the course using open access and open education resources to those using a conventional textbook to determine how learning may have been impacted.
2. Survey students regarding their ability to access electronic readings.
3. Survey students regarding their printing of electronic resources to assess cost savings.