Affording Learning Project Examples

The following examples are presented merely as suggestions to demonstrate how low-cost, high-quality resources can be incorporated into classes. Please feel free to borrow from this example list or submit your own ideas.

For more in-depth consideration of open educational resources, take a look at this guide as well.

Example #1: Adopt an Open Textbook

• Replace a commercial textbook with an open textbook, or textbooks that are openly licensed and freely accessible online.
• See OpenStax College, Open Textbook Library, and BCcampus Open Textbooks for sample open textbooks. Anything you find in these three libraries are available to students for free online or at relatively low cost in print.

Example #2: Adapt an Open Textbook

• Authors of open textbooks typically license them to permit revision, remixing, and reuse. This means that you will have options for revising an open textbook if you find one that meets many of your needs but requires some reworking.
• WSU Libraries and AOI can assist with licensing and remixing if you would like to adapt an open textbook.

Example #3: Use Library-Licensed Content

• WSU Libraries licenses a wide variety of electronic journals and ebooks. We can assist you in preparing a course pack of readings in lieu of a commercial textbook. Funds may also be available to purchase multi-user ebooks for use in your class.
• Consider also the option of mixing library-licensed and openly licensed content in your course.

Example #4: Create Open Content

• If suitable materials are unavailable, consider creating your own textbook, media, learning objects, and so on.
• The WSU Libraries can help you select an open license and publish your material in OER Commons, OpenStax CNX, Research Exchange, or Open Textbook Library for use by your students and others worldwide.

Example #5: Students Help Create New Content

• Writing your own textbook is a daunting task. You may consider having students assist.
• Succeeding classes can continue to update and expand these course materials to keep them current.
• For an example of student-driven OERs, see these videos created by chemistry students at North Carolina State University.

Examples adapted from the University of Minnesota’s Partnership for Affordable Content, https://www.lib.umn.edu/elearning/partnership