The launch of degree programmes without textbook costs are on the increase in the America, however the institutions are finding the move from small-scale adoption to institution-wide adoption is a big leap. Reports suggest that key to developing OER (Open Education Resources, ie. no or few textbooks) courses is making it easy for faculty to find resources through a type of curated library, and some colleges are recommend offering other, low-cost, education materials to bridge the gaps. On this theme, Tidewater Community College (a pioneer in OER teaching) runs a degree programme in business administration, billed as US’s first textbook-free degree, which has has provided a strong marketing opportunity for the school, as current and prospective parents and students pay growing attention to costs beyond tuition.
The launch of degree programmes without textbook costs are on the increase in the US, however the institutions are finding the move from small-scale adoption to institution-wide adoption is a big leap. Reports suggest that key to developing OER (Open Education Resources, ie. no or few textbooks) courses is making it easy for faculty to find resources through a type of curated library, and some colleges are recommend offering other, low-cost, education materials to bridge the gaps. On this theme, Tidewater Community College (a pioneer in OER teaching) runs a degree programme in business administration, billed as America’s first textbook-free degree, which has has provided a strong marketing opportunity for the school, as current and prospective parents and students pay growing attention to costs beyond tuition.