EDCC Faculty Help Create Courses for New Open Course Library Program

Fed up with the high cost of college textbooks?

This may help: On Monday, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges announced the launch of the Open Course Library, a collection of educational materials for 42 of the state’s highest-enrolled college courses. The materials—including textbooks, syllabi, activities, readings, assessments—cost $30 or less per student and are freely available online under an open license for use by the state’s 34 public community and technical colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and anyone else worldwide.

The project is set to expand to 81 courses by 2013.

Faculty at , particularly those in the English department, were actively involved in developing some of these open courses, said EDCC communications consultant Michele Graves.

Among the teachers and their courses were Nancy Kennedy, Introduction to Literature; Amanda Laughtland, English Composition I; and Marcia Woodard, Technical Writing. 

In addition, Dean of the Business Division Andy Williams helped with instructional design and instructional quality. And Vice President of Instruction Marty Cavalluzzi and Learning Resources Director Lauri Kram helped select faculty to develop the courses.

The Open Course Library aims to cut down textbook costs and improve course completion rates, helping more students earn the industry-recognized degrees and credentials they need to enter the workforce.

According to an informal study by the Student Public Interest Research Groups, the Open Course Library could save students as much as $41.6 million on textbooks annually if adopted at all of Washington’s community and technical colleges. The study also estimates that the 42 faculty course developers and their departments will save students $1.26 million by using the materials during the 2011-2012 school year, which alone exceeds the $1.18 million cost of creating the courses.

The Open Course Library is funded by the Washington State Legislature and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“Washington state is a national leader in developing innovative programs that help more students graduate from community and technical colleges,” said Josh Jarrett, deputy director of Postsecondary Success at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “This Open Course Library will ensure more students can afford to stay enrolled in college and graduate with a degree that will prepare them for the workforce.”