Library programs aimed at promoting the use of open educational resources (OER) can significantly enhance student affordability. Research shows that 70% of universities use standardized methods to determine cost savings, typically through before-and-after comparisons of course material adoption. However, these methods do not address long-term benefits, such as improved grades and dropout rates associated with OER. Additionally, quantifying OER's impact on fostering justice-oriented and student-centered teaching can be challenging. This session will explore how sustained savings fit into the greater landscape of assessment of OER/affordability programs. Presenters will share findings from an informal institution survey, as well as invite attendees to contribute their assessment practices. The aim of this presentation is to reframe the conversation around student savings, challenging both university administrators and OER practitioners to go beyond established categories.
Attendees of this session will be able to:- Understand and explain the difference between before-and-after and sustained/compounded savings
- Evaluate the assessment needs of OER and affordability programs at their own institutions
- Engage in a discussion about student savings, which considers innovations and new perspectives
