Open textbook adoption on the

Prairies: Initiatives and support at one

universityHeather M. Ross & Nancy K. Turner

University of Saskatchewan

Overview• Open textbooks• Open textbooks at USask• Diffusion of innovations• Open textbook adoption through lens of diffusion• Moving forward

The Academic Impact• Purchase an older edition of the textbook• Delay purchasing the textbook• Never purchase the textbook

63.6% Not purchase the required textbook

49.2% Take fewer courses

45.1% Not register for a specific course

33.9% Earn a poor grade

26.7% Drop a course

17.0% Fail a course

In your academic career, has the cost of required textbooks caused you to:

http://www.openaccesstextbooks.org/pdf/2012_Florida_Student_Textbook_Survey.pdf

What are open textbooks?

• Digital• Free• Instructor written• Peer reviewed• Adaptable*

Why Should We Integrate

• Cost savings for students• Access for learners• Customization (revise & remix)• Efficiency• Community• Reputation

Open textbooks at USask

First Adoption We Knew About

• Winter 2015• Principles of Economics (OpenStax)• Agriculture and Bioresource• 270 students• Out of the box

Known Adoptions at USask

• College of Agriculture and Bioresource• Edwards School of Business• Department of Chemistry• Department of History• Department of Sociology

• 2015 - 2016 academic year – 900+ students = $90,000+ savings

Adaptation / Creation• College of Engineering

– engineering economics

• Department of Biology – second year biology

• Edwards School of Business – College Success

Diffusion of Innovations

Knowledge

Persuasion

Decision(adopt or

reject)

Implementation

Confirmation

Stages of Adoption

Variables Determining Rate of Adoption

Perceived Attributes

Type of Innovation-

Decision

Communication Channels

Nature of Social System

(culture)

Change Agents Promotion

Efforts

Relative Advantage Compatibility

Complexity Trialability

Observability

Perceived Attributes

Type of Innovation-Decision

AuthorityCollectiveOptional

Open Textbooks & Diffusion

• Perceived attributes – what are the benefits?o Matching appropriate content

to courseso Free and ability to localizeo Try alongside existing

resources• Type of innovation-

decision = optional• Communication –

posters, media, word-of-mouth

Open Textbooks & Diffusion

• Nature of social system:o Academic freedomo Barriers related to tenure &

promotiono Funding

• Change agent promotion:o Workshopso Individual supporto Support resource

development

Moving Forward• Continued education & communication• Adaptions / creations• Adoptions• Funding

Questions & Commentsopen.usask.ca