You are here:

A preliminary examination of the cost savings and learning impacts of using open textbooks in middle and high school science classes
ARTICLE

, , Brigham Young University ; ,

IRRODL Volume 13, Number 3, ISSN 1492-3831 Publisher: Athabasca University Press

Full Text

Abstract

Proponents of open educational resources claim that significant cost savings are possible when open textbooks displace traditional textbooks in the classroom. Over a period of two years, we worked with 20 middle and high school science teachers (collectively teaching approximately 3,900 students) who adopted open textbooks to understand the process and determine the overall cost of such an adoption. The teachers deployed open textbooks in multiple ways. Some of these methods cost more than traditional textbooks; however, we did identify and implement a successful model of open textbook adoption that reduces costs by over 50% compared to the cost of adopting traditional textbooks. In addition, we examined the standardized test scores of students using the open textbooks and found no apparent differences in the results of students who used open textbooks compared with previous years when the same teachers’ students used traditional textbooks. However, given the limited sample of participating teachers, further investigation is needed.

Citation

Wiley, D., Hilton III, J., Ellington, S. & Hall, T. (2012). A preliminary examination of the cost savings and learning impacts of using open textbooks in middle and high school science classes. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 13(3), 262-276. Athabasca University Press. Retrieved June 26, 2019 from .

Keywords

References

View References & Citations Map
  1. Annis, L., & Davis, J.K. (1978). Study techniques and cognitive style: Their effect on recall and recognition. Journal of Educational Research, 71(3), 175–178.
  2. El Ansari, W., & Phillips, C.J. (2004). The costs and benefits to participants in community partnerships: A paradox? Health Promotion Practice, 5(1), 35–48.
  3. Baker, J. (2008). Culture of shared knowledge: Developing a strategy for low-cost textbook alternatives. New England Journal of Higher Education, 21(1), 30.
  4. Baker, J., Thierstein, J., Fletcher, K., Kaur, M., & Emmons, J. (2009). Open textbook proofof-concept via Connexions. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 10(5).
  5. Butcher, N., & Wilson-Strydom, M. (2008). Technology and open learning: The potential of open education resources for K–12 education. International Handbook of Information Technology in Primary and Secondary Education (pp. 725–745).
  6. Card, D., & Krueger, A.B. (1996). School resources and student outcomes: An overview of the literature and new evidence from North and South Carolina. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 10(4), 31–50.
  7. Chaudhary, L. (2009). Education inputs, student performance, and school finance reform in Michigan. Economics of Education Review, 28(1), 90–98.
  8. D’Antoni, S. (2009). Open educational resources: Reviewing initiatives and issues. Open Learning: The Journal of Open and Distance Learning, 24(1), 3-10. Doi:10.1080/02680510802625443
  9. Downes, S. (2007). Models for sustainable open educational resources. Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge and Learning Objects, 3 29-44. Http://www.ijello.org/Volume3/IJKLOv3p029-044Downes.pdf
  10. Fowler, R.L., & Barker, A.S. (1974). Effectiveness of highlighting for retention of text material. Journal of Applied Psychology, 59(3), 358–364.
  11. Frith, J. (2009). Open revolution: An environmental scan of the open textbook landscape. Raleigh: North Carolina State University Digital Scholarship & Publishing Center. Retrieved from http://web.archive.org/web/20100707162707/http://www.lib.
  12. Gurell, S., & Wiley, D. (2008). OER handbook for educators (pp. 1-284). Retrieved from
  13. Koch, J.V. (2006). An economic analysis of textbook pricing and textbook markets. ACFSA college textbook cost study plan proposal. Washington, DC: Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance.
  14. Lebow, D., Lick, D., & Hartman, H. (2004). Interactive annotation for teaching and learning. In R. Ferdig et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2004 (pp. 1781–1786). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
  15. OECD. (2007). Giving knowledge for free: The emergence of open educational resources. Retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/35/7/38654317.pdf
  16. Odden, A., Picus, L.O., Archibald, S., Goetz, M., Mangan, M.T., & Aportela, A. (2007). Moving from good to great in Wisconsin: Funding schools adequately and doubling student performance. Madison: University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, Consortium for Policy Research in Education. Retrieved from http://cpre.wceruw.org/finance/WI%20March%201%202007%20Adequacy%20Report1.pdf
  17. Orfield, G., & Lee, C. (2005). Why segregation matters: Poverty and educational inequality. Civil Rights Project, Harvard University.
  18. Petrides, L., Jimes, C., Middleton-Detzner, C., Walling, J., & Weiss, S. (2011). Open textbook adoption and use: Implications for teachers and learners. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance, and e-Learning, 26(1).
  19. Simpson, M., & Nist, S. (1990). An effective and efficient study strategy for college students. Journal of Reading, 34(2), 122–129.
  20. Watt, M.G. (2009). Research on the textbook selection orocess in the United States of America. Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED506523
  21. Wolfe, J.L., & Neuwirth, C.M. (2001). From the margins to the center: The future of an-Vol 13 | No 3 Research Articles June 2012

These references have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. Signed in users can suggest corrections to these mistakes.

Suggest Corrections to References

Cited By

View References & Citations Map

These links are based on references which have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. If you see a mistake, please contact info@learntechlib.org.

Links

Also Read