The launch of degree programmes without tuition costs are on the increase in the US , however the institutions are saying the move from small - scale adoption to campus - wide adoption is a big leap . Studies suggest that key to developing OER ( online Education Resources , ie . no or few textbooks ) courses is making it easy for students 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 .
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.