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Course Material Affordability

Definitions

Wh​​at is OER?​

Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching, learning, and research materials that are either (a) in the public domain or (b) licensed in a manner that provides everyone with free and perpetual permission to engage in the 5R activities.

What is ZTC​​?

ZTC (Zero-Textbook-Cost) classes have no textbook-related costs, including access fees for online materials. Such classes often use Open Educational Resources (OER) created under a Creative Commons (a public copyright license) that gives people the ability to share, use, and build upon a work that has been created. They may also use class copies, library e-books, class sets of books, journals, open-access course materials, or other sources, so there is no cost to the student. Read more about RCCD's full​ definition of ZTC. 

What is ​​LTC?​

Low Textbook Cost (LTC) designated course sections are those whose required course textbooks and ancillaries may be purchased at the Moreno Valley College bookstore for a combined pretax amount of $30 or less, which may include either physical or electronic materials. Read more about RCCD's full definition of LTC.

 

ASCCC OERI Webinars

The ASCCC OERI provides professional development regarding OER. Consider these webknars to learn more about incoporating OER into your instruction.

  • How Can We Best Assign Diverse Contemporary Literature and Nonfiction Books in Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Classes? A discussion for English faculty -- Join this webinar for an open conversation about the pros and cons of different approaches, including library eBook access.
  • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism (IDEA) Framework Assessment Process -- Join this webinar to explore the complete IDEA Framework assessment process including the IDEA principles, assessment categories, and other important considerations when reviewing open educational resources.
  • Sharing Open Educational Resources (OER) Within and Across Ethnic Studies Disciplines -- In this conversation, faculty are invited to share the OER that they have used in the classroom. We will share successes and reflect on differences and similarities between five Ethnic Studies disciplines: Ethnic Studies, Black Studies, Native American / American Indian Studies, Chicanx and Latinx Studies, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies.
  • Moving Math and Statistics Courses to Open Educational Resources (OER)/ Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) -- Join this webinare in this webinar to go over the mathematics OER and ZTC options that are out there for textbooks and homework systems.  We will look at common courses such as statistics, calculus, and other courses that the attendees have interest in using OER and moving to ZTC.
  • Spanish Open Educational Resources (OER) Homework Hackathon 2: Let’s have fun with ADAPT -- Do you want to help us expand the Spanish OER homework activities in ADAPT? During our OER Hackathon 2, we will create a collection of activities using LibreTexts ADAPT homework system. Come and join the fun and share the newly created resources with the world!
  • A Deep Dive into Open Educational Resources (OER) Options for Digital Journalism and Public Relations -- As we wrap up the spring term, it’s time to consider adopting and adapting OER for classes in fall 2024. Please join us to investigate our OER options – including some new choices – for digital journalism and public relations classes.
  • American Sign Language (ASL) and Open Educational Resources (OER) Office Hours -- The OERI is pleased to offer a series of ASL and OER office hours throughout for the month of May. These office hours will serve as a Q&A session where attendees bring their ASL and OER needs, requests, and questions. Attendees can also use this space to receive guidance and ask questions pertaining to the discipline.
  • Astronomy and Open Educational Resources (OER) -- Join this webinar in this conversation to discuss the OER needs of the Astronomy and Physics community and expand discipline collaboration on developing and implementing OER.
  • Administration of Justice Open Educational Resources (OER) Introduction and Brainstorming Session -- Join this webinar for an introduction to our new ADMJ Discipline Lead and an update on the work of the ADMJ collaboration cohort. We will also review existing OER and identify any gaps or needs in ADMJ OER course materials.
  • Cal OER 2024 -- On behalf of the Cal OER Organizing Committee, we invite you to save the date for the fourth annual Cal OER Conference, held virtually on August 7 – 8, 2024. This event is open to everyone, so we hope you will attend. The theme for the 2024 conference is Responsive Pedagogy: Extending Local Innovation to Advance Global Impact.

 

Finding O​ER for Your Course

If you would like help finding OER texts for your course, please contact a member of your college's Course Materials Affordability Committee, and they'll be more than happy to work with you to locate resources for your class. 

Students are able to locate which classes use ZTC or LTC materials by using the College's Course Finder Tool. The ZTC and LTC courses will be labeled with the corresponding icons as indicated in this example screenshot.

image_screenshot_Course_finder_ZTCicon.jpg

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Course Material Affordability Committees & Resources

​For more information, contact your college librarians or your college's Course Materials Affordability Committee (CMAC) Chairs.