Arkansas State University-Beebe launched a major Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC)/Open Educational Resources (OER) initiative last spring. This fall, the ZTC/OER initiative saved ASU-Beebe students $493,176.95.
Supported by funding from a federal Title III grant, faculty subject matter experts at ASU-Beebe worked closely with the college's instructional designers and Distance Education team over the spring and summer to convert 39 high-enrollment courses to free textbooks and course materials this fall.
“This has been a great benefit to our students,” said LueCrecy Ragan, Title III Instructional Designer for Distance Education and adjunct professor of business. “By removing textbook costs, students don’t have to wait for financial aid disbursements or shipping delays. Students can immediately start required readings, which can improve course performance and student success rates.”
Faculty and instructional designers conducted extensive research and exploration into the growing availability of sophisticated and advanced non-cost course materials. Their efforts ensured that no quality was sacrificed in content, and significant improvements were made in those courses by updating and better aligning student learning outcomes with relevant career and life goals.
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