Savings without sacrifice: a case report on open-source textbook adoption. (2nd September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clinton, Virginia
• Is Part Of: Open learning. Volume 33:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 189
• Publication Date: 2018-09-02
• Subjects: Open-source educational resources -- textbooks -- electronic reading -- open source; Distance education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 371.35
• DOI: 10.1080/02680513.2018.1486184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-0513

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Rising textbook costs have prompted the development of open-source textbooks to increase access to education. The purpose of this case report is to examine open-source textbook adoption through the COUP framework (costs, outcomes, use, and perceptions) comparing a semester with a commercial textbook to a semester with an open-source textbook. Students ( N = 520) were enrolled in an undergraduate course at a mid-sized public university in the United States. Results indicated that although costs were substantially lower, student learning outcomes and perceptions of quality were similar or better with an open-source textbook. Although students were much more likely to access the open-source textbook electronically, there were no differences in how they reported using the two textbooks to support their learning. Considering the financial savings of open-source textbooks, these findings build on existing empirical support that encourage the adoption of open-source textbooks.