Reducing Student Expenses through Innovation Inclusive Access Course Materials Saving Students Big. By Tom Brockman, Editor
For college students across the United States, the process of purchasing textbooks has become an agonizing and anxiety-filled activity, especially as they wait to hear the amount they owe at the register. According to the College Board, the average U.S. college student spends around $1,200 a year on books and supplies. A 2013 study conducted by the Government Accountability Office found that, from 2002 to 2013, the price of new college textbooks increased by 82 percent. Similarly, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 1977 to 2015, textbook prices increased by 1,041 percent. Ohio Dominican is taking steps to significantly reduce the cost of textbooks for students. This spring semester, ODU launched a pilot study in which it introduced inclusive access course materials from Barnes & Noble into 10 courses across a range of subject areas. These materials, which include e-textbooks and e-courseware, are available to students at a steeply discounted rate through a partnership between OhioLINK, of which ODU is a member institution, and publishers that include Pearson, McGraw-Hill Education, Macmillan Learning, and Wiley & Sons, Inc. The use of inclusive access course materials, when combined with free open educational resources, could potentially save students between 50 to 80 percent when compared to acquiring course materials through traditional retail channels. “One of the most innovative aspects of our approach is that we are not telling faculty they have to use specific
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course materials,” said ODU Librarian Michelle Sarff, who co-leads ODU’s Inclusive Access Implementation Team. “Instead, we are providing faculty with a menu of affordable learning options for their courses, and they can choose which materials fit their course best.” Although this pilot program is studying a relatively small number of courses, the University estimates that students in these courses will save a total of nearly $25,000 on textbooks and other course materials, with an average per-textbook savings of $115. “Because of the courseware associated with some of these textbooks, students are required to buy brand new books, which tends to drive up the price,” said Lindsey Mason, who serves on ODU’s inclusive access team. “Because of the cost, fewer students are purchasing necessary course materials. Not only are we trying to reduce the cost of course materials, we also hope to improve student grades, retention and overall satisfaction.” As with any major initiative, this pilot program will give faculty and staff adequate time to identify and address any areas of concern before the initiative is expanded to include more courses during fall semester later this year. Students who utilize inclusive access course materials get guaranteed access to e-textbooks by the first day of class through ODU’s course management system, PantherLearn. These e-textbooks can be viewed on a range of devices including computers, tablets and cell phones. Students who prefer to purchase or rent physical textbooks will have the option to opt out of receiving inclusive access materials.
