Why use OER at UTRGV?

A Message From UTRGV Faculty

Faculty at UTRGV have responded enthusiastically to the Open Education initiatives supporting textbook affordability. Many faculty members expressed gratitude for the training and resources, recognizing their importance in reducing costs for students, especially those from low-income backgrounds. One faculty member noted, “It is an effective way to let more people know the efforts and make our education system more fair.”

“I think this [OER] training should be given to all new faculty as part of a training, many of us sometimes do not know that this kind of resource exists until another colleague tells us or we discover it semesters later. Great tools.”

Faculty members who were already familiar with OER found the program’s resources a valuable addition. As one faculty member shared, “I was already using one OER textbook, but the information and directory in this training will be a huge help to find other materials.” Another added, “Thank you for this wealth of information…having resources and access to links and additional programs is beyond beneficial.”

Faculty also voiced their enthusiasm for expanding their use of OER in the future. “I look forward to learning more and implementing it,” shared one instructor. Additionally, a faculty member appreciated the program’s alignment with ethical considerations: “I support [OER] as an important ethical issue for students. I was glad to see UTRGV mentioned so prominently.” Through these initiatives, UTRGV’s Open Education program is empowering faculty to enrich their teaching while promoting affordability and access across campus.

A Message From UTRGV Students

Students have found UTRGV’s Textbook Affordability Project to be invaluable, noting the accessibility, flexibility, and affordability it brings to their academic experiences. Students appreciated the convenience of online access to their course materials, allowing them to study and complete assignments from any device. One student shared, “I enjoyed the online accessibility, as I could review with my phone, iPad, or laptop at any moment.” Another added, “The advantages were that I had access anywhere I went. I traveled to Austin on work conferences and was able to log in and review my course and submit assignments.”

Affordability emerged as a crucial benefit of using OER and library-licensed materials. One student explained, “My financial aid didn’t even quite cover my whole semester, so having the open resources helped a lot.” Another emphasized, “I didn’t have to buy some expensive book… an advantage was not spending so much money on a book I’ll only use once!”

Beyond affordability, students also valued the interactive and engaging nature of these materials. “OER and library-licensed materials offer unique advantages in terms of accessibility, currency, and interactivity,” remarked one student, noting that this approach “promotes active learning and provides flexibility to tailor our learning experiences.” By making education more accessible, these resources empower students to focus on learning and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways without being constrained by costly resources.

If you want to explore more about the benefits of Open Educational Resources for students, faculty and institutions at UTRGV, the Textbook Affordability Project website provides more information on the benefits and impact in your institution and community.