Guide to Open Educational Resources (OER)

What is Affordable Learning?

Affordable learning supports the use of "quality, low-or-no cost education resources that encourage student success while lowering student costs. These resources, most often referred to as Open Educational Resources (OER) can include textbooks, modules, lectures, labs, videos, and other pedagogical material." 

.Source: SCALE (https://pascalsc.libguides.com/scale/info)

Recent Affordable Learning data:

• 56%, of college students say they can no longer afford their tuition costs*

• 85% of students say they will be challenged to pay for higher education in 2021-22**

Sources: 

*CNBC, June 4, 2020 (https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/04/more-than-half-of-students-probably-cant-afford-college-due-to-covid-19.html)

**UB (University Business), February 25, 2021 (https://universitybusiness.com/college-affordability-still-a-major-concern-for-families/)

The Affordable College Textbook Act 

The Affordable College Textbook Act (H.R.2107S.1036) would reduce the cost of textbooks at U.S. colleges and universities by expanding the use of open textbooks (and other open educational resources) that everyone can download, edit and share freely to benefit students. The legislation was introduced in the 116th Congress on April 4, 2019 Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO).

Source: Affordable College Textbook Act (H.R.2107 S.1036)

Open Textbooks: The Billion Dollar Solution

This is an excellent introduction to open educational resources, the urgency of the issue of affordable learning and how institutions of higher learning can contribute.