Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2018

Publication Title

Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance, and e-Learning

Volume

33

Abstract

Rising textbook costs have prompted the development of open-source textbooks to increase access to education. The purpose of this case report is to examine open-source textbook adoption through the COUP framework (costs, outcomes, use, and perceptions) comparing a semester with a commercial textbook to a semester with an open-source textbook. Students (N = 520) were enrolled in an undergraduate course at a mid-sized public university in the United States. Results indicated that although costs were substantially lower, student learning outcomes and perceptions of quality were similar or better with an open-source textbook. Although students were much more likely to access the open-source textbook electronically, there were no differences in how they reported using the two textbooks to support their learning. Considering the financial savings of open-source textbooks, these findings build on existing empirical support that encourage the adoption of open-source textbooks.

Issue

3

First Page

177

Last Page

189

DOI

10.1080/02680513.2018.1486184

ISSN

0268-0513

Rights

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance, and e-Learning on July 13, 2018, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/02680513.2018.1486184.

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