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Presentation
Seeking Alternatives to High-cost Textbooks: A Case Study of the UMass Amherst Open Education Initiative
Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resource Coalition (SPARC) (2014)
  • Marilyn S Billings, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Abstract

Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching, learning, and research resources that either reside in the public domain or carry a license that permits their free use, sharing and adaptation by all users. From textbooks to course materials, videos to software, journals to digital collections, the creation and sharing of open materials can reduce the cost of textbooks, expand access to knowledge, and support student success. This webcast features Marilyn Billings, Scholarly Communication & Special Initiatives Librarian, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries, who provides an overview of the Open Education Initiative project, discusses the impact achieved for students, and provides practical tips and advice for other campuses exploring OER initiatives. This initiative has saved students more than $750,000 since 2011 by working with faculty to identify low-cost and free alternatives to expensive textbooks.

Publication Date
March 13, 2014
Citation Information
Marilyn S Billings. "Seeking Alternatives to High-cost Textbooks: A Case Study of the UMass Amherst Open Education Initiative" Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resource Coalition (SPARC) (2014)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/marilyn_billings/55/