Free Online Textbook Use Grows At State Universities

Free Online Textbook Use Grows at State Universities

After North Dakota dedicated funds for a free textbook initiative, results were surprisingly encouraging

Anna Burleson | June 24, 2016

More than a year after the state Legislature put $110,000 into the North Dakota University System to fund a free textbook initiative, the first schools to see those funds are hoping to save students a lot of money.

Based on calculations using the full cost of textbooks, UND is going to save students about $1.2 million in textbook costs next school year. Valley City State University already is cutting up to $82,000 in costs, with the aim to eliminate between $30,000 and $50,000 in textbook expenses next school year.
“The game-changer in this project was the funding that allowed me to move forward with faculty development and workshops to help them understand the resources,” said Tanya Spilovoy, the NDUS director of distance education and state authorization.


Open educational resources savings at UND, 2016-17

Introduction to Sociology, 480 students
List price of current book: $170.25
Total savings: $81,600

Introduction to Psychology, 850 students
List price of current textbook: $148
Total savings: $125,375

Introduction to State and Local Government, 80 students
List price of current textbook: $160
Total savings: $12,800

Aviation Meteorology, 160 students
List price of current textbook: $160
Total savings: $25,600

Calculus 1, 2 and 3 (four sections total)
Estimated enrollment excluding Calculus 3: 2,867 students
List price of current textbook: $314
Total savings: About $900,000

Source: http://www.ecampusnews.com/curriculum/free-online-textbook/2/

<more at http://www.ecampusnews.com/curriculum/free-online-textbook/; related articles and links: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/18/living/open-textbooks-online-education-resources/ (How some colleges are offering free textbooks. April 21, 2014) and https://campustechnology.com/articles/2016/03/09/textbook-free.aspx (How to Go Textbook Free. The University of Maryland University College is the largest institution in the country to go "commando" on textbooks. As of this academic year undergraduates don't have to lug them around or spend a dime on them — and the benefits don't end there. Here's how UMUC achieved an amazing goal. March 9, 2016)>