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Open Education

This guide offers information on OER for Higher Education

 Washburn Open Textbook Grant

Grant Objectives:

  1. Increase affordable learning opportunities for undergraduate students
  2. Support faculty in creating academically robust undergraduate courses using Open Educational Resources, with a particular focus on University Gateway Courses

 

Why Go Open?

Open Educational Resources (OER) provide students free access to reliable scholarly textbooks and other learning materials. Recent studies show that OER increase overall course grades while decreasing failing and withdraw rates, especially for underserved populations (Colvard, Watson, Park, 2018). 

Nationally, between 1986 and 2004 textbook prices rose 186% (GAO, 2005). One promise of the internet was to democratize access to information. Unfortunately, the GAO reports that from 2002 to 2012 textbook prices continued to rise placing an increased financial burden on students and their families. This recent 82% rise in the cost of textbooks occurred while tuition and fees continued their accelerated increase of 89% (GAO, 20013). The chart below shows that the steep rise in textbook and tuition costs are matched only by the rise in healthcare services. 

(Perry, 2018)

Eligibility:

Washburn faculty teaching undergraduate credit-bearing courses in the 2024-2025 academic year and seeking to replace at least one commercial textbook. Strong preference is granted to undergraduate gateway courses. 

 

Award Requirements:

All grant recipients:

  • Comply with Creative Commons licenses included in the materials they utilize
  • Meet with grant coordinator Amanda Luke before and after the project is completed 

 

Award Information: 

Award Amount up to 500.00                                                         
Number of Awards Available 6
Project Type Adopt or adapt OER materials to eliminate and/or reduce course material costs. 

 

Deadline: Now accepting applications for academic year 2024-2025

 

To submit an application, CLICK HERE

 

 

Grant Information Contact:

Scott Brackey
University Library, Plass Learning Resources Center
scott.brackey@washburn.edu
785-670-2609

 

Citations:

Visit https://libguides.washburn.edu/open/research for more research on OER and student success

Colvard, N.B., Watson, C.E., Park, H. (2018). The Impact of Open Educational Resources on Various Students Success Metrics. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 30(2), 262-276. Retrieved from https://theidealis.org/the-impact-of-open-educational-resources-on-various-student-success-metrics/

Perry, M. J. (17 July 2018). The 'Chart of the Century' Makes the Rounds at the Federal Reserve. Foundation for Economic Education (FEE).  Retrieved from https://fee.org/articles/the-chart-of-the-century-makes-the-rounds-at-the-federal-reserve/ 

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2005). College Textbooks: Enhanced Offerings Appear to Drive Recent Price Increases. Retrieved from https://www.gao.gov/assets/250/247332.pdf

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2013). College Textbooks: Students Have Greater Access to Textbook Information. Retrieved from https://www.gao.gov/assets/660/655066.pdf