AFFORDABLE LEARNING SOLUTIONS
Dr. Jose Martinez teaches UNV 101 Economics of Discrimination (fall 2015). He is part of the CSUDH COOL4Ed grant project to adopt open textbooks, and he is using OpenStax College’s Principles of Economics.
Dr. Martinez shares, “It has been the norm as Economics’ instructors to just follow the outline already established in the textbook, which does not offer enough room to explore outside the course structure. When I require a book, I make sure that I use it for the class 100% of the time, because I know it is a great expense for my students. Having an open source textbook, it’s freeing for me because I do not have that constraint any longer. I’m free to develop a new class structure using supplemental course content from multiple resources and incorporate them as it seems fit. Now, I don’t feel guilty for doing it.”
In fall 2009, CSUDH became the beta campus for the Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) program. In 2010, CSUDH initiated the program starting out small making faculty aware of ways to lower the cost of textbooks for students. Naomi Moy, Campus Coordinator for Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) explains, “The aim here at CSUDH was to get as much as we could in free textbooks into the hands of students, if at all possible.” Since then, CSUDH has received much recognition on AL$ which involves the largest number of faculty on any California State University campus.
rigorous. The standard curriculum textbook at $250 is available, as well as the purchase of the older version at a significant cost savings of around $25 (CD/subscription available with textbook). Estimated book savings is $180-$200. This is the first semester Dr. Bevli has made available for the course “Calculus-based physics, A free Physics Textbook by Jefffrey W. Schnick” available as a free PDF download. The PDF material is very basic and does not include everything needed for the course. Dr. Bevli prepares detailed notes for himself of his lectures to incorporate all information needed. He ensures content of material stays in sequence to nationwide curriculum standards for physics. He states, “There has been no particular academic benefit as there is no advantage doing it this way. The only advantage is cost savings.”
Dr. Jose Martinez
Naomi Moy, Campus Coordinator for Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$)
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