Alternative Course Materials

One of the major topics of conversation in higher education at the moment is the rising cost of textbooks. As universities work to respond to students' financial concerns, OER has evolved as a viable alternative, but it is not the only reason to consider ditching your textbook.

• Collaboration: Creating OER can be an opportunity for you to work with other educators toward the common goal of publishing learning resources
• Freedom to teach: When you select the materials, you are not bound to the Table of Contents in a textbook. You can move beyond the same old format to one that covers topics and outcomes you decide are important. You can appeal to a variety of learning styles by incorporating different types of resources from the beginning.
• Technology education: Providing digital OER to students helps them become familiar with real world technologies. These are skills that can move past your subject area and will benefit them beyond their university experience.
• Impact: Creating OER gives you the opportunity to showcase your own research not only to your students but to the academic community.
• Individualization: An OER course has been carefully crafted for the student and includes materials that the instructor has selected to meet specific learning objectives.
• Retention and marketing: If you were a student with budget concerns, wouldn't you be more likely to choose a university or a course with no associated textbook costs?
• Sustainability: Once you develop your curriculum around what you want to teach, the only thing you'll ever  have to do is update areas that change. No more evaluating textbooks.