OE Global 2018

Learn about three large-scale implementations of OER degrees in the United States and Canada. OER-based degrees provide students pathways to a degree or credential with no textbook costs. These pathways are also called “Zero-Textbook-Cost degrees” in the United States or Zed Cred in Canada. Courses in a specific program use OER as instructional materials and are aligned to provide students a clear pathway from start to finish of a program. OER pathways are gaining in popularity particularly at community colleges where registering for these courses can save students up to 25% on the cost of attendance for a 2-year degree. Students following a guided pathway complete their educational degrees more quickly resulting in less costs. Developing an OER degree builds institutional capacity for designing clearer and more efficient pathways to credentials and better connecting student learning outcomes to curriculum and pedagogy. Project directors from initiatives across the United States, in California, and in British Columbia will share updates and describe lessons learned to date.