Research Guides: Open and Affordable Textbook Program: For Students

OPEN AND AFFORDABLE TEXTBOOK (OAT) INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

Open Educational Resources (OER) are educational materials and resources published in the public domain with open licenses. These open resources are offered freely and legally for use by anyone to adapt, improve and re-share. OER may include self-developed educational videos and learning objects, course materials/modules, lab activities, as well as a complete online textbook.

Students at NJIT can play an important role in the OAT Initiative on and off campus. Below you will find resources for saving money on textbooks as well as tips on becoming an advocate for reducing the burden of increasing educational costs that may impact students negatively.

FIND OER AND BECOME AN ADVOCATE

Course Reserves are course-related materials made available, either electronically or physically, through the NJIT Library. Course materials may be put on reserve at the library or made available in your Moodle or Canvas site at the instructor’s request. Reserve items may be checked out at a library service desk for short-term use in the library.

Sometimes you can find required course materials in our physical or electronic collections. Search the library catalog and Primo for your required readings before purchasing.

A number of your required materials may be available online for free, such as out-of-copyright books.

We know - talking to your professors can be tough - but your instructors care about your education and your experience and value your feedback.

Mention the cost of the textbook on your end-of-the-semester course evaluation form
Ask permission to use an older edition of the text if one is available
Ask whether the required course materials is available through University Libraries on physical or electronic course reserve
Discuss open educational resources, open textbooks, and affordable course materials with your professor
Encourage your professor to apply for an OAT Award
Offer open source textbooks or other reading materials as an alternative option that is significantly more affordable than traditional high-cost textbooks (like these high quality options from OpenStax)
Tell them about the OAT Initiative team - we would be happy to do all the talking for you

Talk to your friends, your classmates, and the world about the benefits of OER!

Participate in #textbookbroke
Contact our team if you are interested in participating in or partnering on an OER event

Search for eTextbooks (by field)

Fall 2020 OAT @ Student Senate

OPEN EDUCATION WEEK POLL RESULTS

During Open Education Week (March 2-6), fellow students had the opportunity to learn more about textbook affordability on campus and respond to poll questions on how expensive textbooks are affecting their academic journey at NJIT. View the results of the poll below. Additionally, view the library whiteboard containing student thoughts on what they would use the money for if they did not have to purchase an expensive textbook.