ONLINE TEXTBOOKS BENEFIT

Last spring, Clarion University Faculty Senate passed a resolution to focus attention on the high cost of course materials and encouraged faculty to adopt open educational resources, which are no-cost or low-cost materials. A task force has been working this fall to further the use of OERs.

“The impetus was a realization by a number of faculty that, while (textbook) costs are continuing to rise, there are a number of low- or no-cost alternatives of increasing quality,” said Jim Lyle, assistant professor of communication and co-chair of the Open Educational Resources Taskforce. “National data shows that students pay an average of $700 per semester for textbooks, and that number often exceeds $1,000.”

A sample of Clarion University student textbook costs from a year ago showed an average of $450 per semester. Lyle said business and the sciences, particularly health sciences, have notoriously high textbook costs.

Clarion University is guided by its True North Initiative, which outlines goals and provides direction in reaching them.

“One area of emphasis in TNI is student affordability, and this initiative is aligned with reducing costs,” said Dr. Pam Gent, provost. “Another area of TNI is student success. Some students are not able to afford textbooks, so they struggle in class and are not as successful as they could be. Adopting OERs will even the playing field for those students.”

Earlier this semester, six courses adopted OERs, benefiting 291 students and saving them a combined $23,096. Lyle said other faculty members also have adopted free or low-cost resources.

“As an example, in communication courses, we eliminated the use of a public speaking textbook ... that was at least $130 for a (loose leaf version) new copy,” Lyle said. “There are roughly 170 students in public speaking this semester. That’s $22,000 in costs right there. Even if you reduce the costs through textbook rental or buying used versions, it’s still a minimum cost of $50 a student.”

Dr. Nancy Ann Falvo, assistant professor of nursing, said the RN-BSN nursing program has adopted a textbook-free program, using the university’s free, content management