Interviews were conducted with twelve faculty members at community colleges in California who adopted open textbooks in their teaching practice for one academic term or longer. The interviews queried faculty on motivation to undertake the adoption, pedagogical considerations, student savings and feedback, and support from other campus stakeholders.
Faculty were asked how their teaching and student learning was affected as a result of adopting an open textbook in their course. Specifically they were asked if they were collaborating more with other faculty members and whether they were now using a wider range of instructional materials in their courses. With regards to student learning, they were asked if they believed that student learning had improved or whether student retention had improved as a result of the adoption of an open and free textbook. Any unanticipated outcomes that had resulted from the adoption either in their own practice or with students was also queried.
In addition to the faculty and students, other stakeholders on campus are often involved in the decision and process to adopt an open textbook. College initiatives or pilot programs to increase access and equity were sometimes the instigators for making the change and other times it was strictly a faculty decision. Library, instructional design, and bookstore staff were other stakeholders who played roles in the adoption process.
Attend this presentation to better understand the motivations of college faculty who adopt open textbooks and how it affected their teaching practice. Hear about the challenges they encountered and any unexpected outcomes. Learn what students had to say about using open textbooks in the classroom and how it affected their learning and ability to be successful.