On Monday, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education approved 26 proposals for Open Educational Resources projects that produce “high-quality” teaching and other learning materials to Colorado students at no cost, awarding a total of $1 million to the projects.
“No one should have to pay hundreds of dollars for textbooks for just one course,” said Gov. Jared Polis. “Colorado is breaking down barriers to free, open-source textbooks that can be even better than costly commercial ones. I’m excited to help establish 10 more Z-degrees that have zero textbook cost all the way through the degree or certification, saving thousands of dollars for every student.”
It’s the sixth year of the OER grant program, and grantees have saved Colorado students more than $31.5 million on textbooks to date. They have also transformed more than 1,600 courses to no-cost courses by creating and adopting free, openly licensed educational resources on Colorado campuses, according to information provided by the program.
This grant cycle, the Colorado OER program will award funds to Colorado colleges and universities in five tiers, according to a news release from the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE).
These tiers are zero textbook degree development, collaborative partnerships, small group, institutional general incentive funds and individual.
This year’s OER grantees feature 20 Colorado colleges and universities and four collaborative projects that involve multiple institutions, including the “first collaborative partnership grant involving a private institution of higher education and a high school.”
Out of the $1 million rewarded to the OER initiatives, 60% will go toward zero textbook cost degree development and other collaborative projects.
According to the Department of Education, 10 of the projects will develop “Z-degrees,” which will help students complete their degree without paying for textbooks, ranging in degree tracks from nursing to theater.
“Educational materials are imperative to student success in any postsecondary program,” said Angie Paccione, CDHE executive director. “This substantial investment lets students know we want to support every aspect of their higher education journey and we are committed to providing a pathway that makes a career attainable.”
On Friday, May 17, the CDHE will host its annual OER conference in Denver. The conference exists to provide instructors, administrators, school leaders and more with the professional development needed to “advance open education across the state.”
The 2024 theme is “Open Pedagogy: From Concept to Classroom.”
Registration for the conference can be completed on their website.
Registration will close May 1.
