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No textbook cost general education pathway: an effort to increase retention at Central Washington University

Maura Valentino (Libraries Department, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington, USA)
Geri Hopkins (Libraries Department, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington, USA)

Reference Services Review

ISSN: 0090-7324

Article publication date: 5 August 2020

Issue publication date: 25 November 2020

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to describe a project that aims to give students a choice to complete their general education requirements without purchasing a textbook.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 26 faculty, teaching in the new general education curriculum, at Central Washington University were given stipends to eliminate expensive textbooks and use free to the student resources such as open educational resources (OER) or library resources. The data was collected on student savings and student and faculty satisfaction with the program.

Findings

Many paths were created through the general education curriculum, so a student may easily finish these requirements without purchasing a textbook. The data from this case study coincide with the literature on the subject. Faculty found it fairly easy to replace their required textbooks with pedagogically sound, free resources. Students were relieved to have some financial relief and found the resources to be good. The student’s biggest complaint was that faculty often use very small portions of expensive required textbooks.

Research limitations/implications

This is a case study and the results are limited as such. This is one university and one general education curriculum. Also, if an academic library wants to replicate this case study, some funding is required.

Practical implications

Students struggle financially and alleviating the costs of textbooks is one-way librarians can ease that burden.

Social implications

Students struggle financially and alleviating the costs of textbooks is one-way librarians can ease that burden.

Originality/value

There have been some case studies written about OER, where 8 or 10 courses are replaced. There are studies written about zero-textbook-cost degrees at community colleges, but this case study explores a textbook-cost-free general education program at a state university.

Keywords

Citation

Valentino, M. and Hopkins, G. (2020), "No textbook cost general education pathway: an effort to increase retention at Central Washington University", Reference Services Review, Vol. 48 No. 3, pp. 503-522. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-03-2020-0015

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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