Learn how to design your campus’ Textbook Affordability Program by adapting California State University’s strategies.
The affordability of course materials is a significant barrier for student success. For example, about 48% of students take fewer units per semester due to the cost of textbooks (2016 Florida Virtual University survey). Strategies for improving the affordable choices of course materials for CSU students have become an important part of a campus’ graduation Initiative. When the total cost of education is more affordable, students can take more units per semester, graduate in less time, providing greater access to a CSU education to more of our citizens.
Beginning in 2010, the CSU has implemented its Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) Initiative to significantly reduce the course materials for its students. The workshop will provide participants with strategies they can adopt and adapt for their plans for their own campus’ Affordable Learning Solutions Initiative. Participants should bring their own devices as we review a suite of the CSU’s open online tools and resources at http://affordablelearningsolutions.org, www.cool4ed.org, and www.suol4ed.org (Southern University’s adaption of the AL$ program)
The CSU’s AL$ initiative has 4 major components:
1. LEVERAGE CONTENT PROVIDERS to provide a large collection of educational content for all of your faculty. Use publishers' materials, library resources, OER, and faculty authored materials as the foundation of your program.
2. CREATE CONVENIENCE for faculty and students by enabling the discovery and adoption of affordable learning resources with technology that is usable, convenient, and affordable
3. DEVELOP DEMAND by the faculty and the students to want the no-cost and low-cost course materials through outreach, marketing, professional development, training, and support services
4. ENABLE ECOSYSTEMS through the leadership of your institution, the development of policies, and the adoption of innovative business models.
The workshop will have participants:
- Explore a variety of FREE online libraries managed by the California State University which any institution can use immediately for their own program
- Explore strategies for institutionalizing an Affordable Learning Solutions initiative within their own campus context.
- Identify the organizational changes that might be needed to implement their own AL$ initiative.
- Discuss the prospective challenges and benefits faced by the faculty, staff, students and administrator if the campus implemented an AL$ program.
- Learn how the CSU has addressed the accessibility of the etextbooks
- Draft a project plan for their own AL$ program
This workshop is also part of the MERLOT-OLC HBCU Textbook Affordability Initiative and HBCU institutions are especially welcome to participate in the workshop.