OER at UMD
Textbook Affordability at UMD
The University of Maryland estimates that students spend an average of $1,250 on textbooks and supplies per year, and these costs directly impact learning outcomes. A 2014 Maryland PIRG survey at UMD found that:
65% of students have skipped purchasing a required textbook due to cost.
48% of students consider textbook costs when enrolling in their courses.
82% of students said they would do significantly better in a course if the textbook were free online and a hard copy was optional.
In the decade since, the cost of living has skyrocketed and prospective U.S. college students express waning confidence in the value of higher education. Amid this complex landscape, textbook affordability has remained a top priority for UMD's Student Government Association and MaryPIRG.
High-quality open and affordable resources are more in demand than ever before, but they're also much easier to locate and use. A 2023 report found that nearly one third (29%) of U.S. higher education faculty now require an OER in their courses.
Maryland Open Source Textbook (M.O.S.T.) Initiative
The Maryland Open Source Textbook (M.O.S.T.) initiative supports long-term, statewide scaling and sustainability of open educational resources to increase access, affordability, and achievement for higher education students across Maryland.
M.O.S.T.'s mini-grant program supports faculty to adopt, adapt, and create open educational resources and implement open pedagogy.
From Spring 2014 through Fall 2023, 210 courses at 29 Maryland institutions switched to OER with help from M.O.S.T., saving over 160,000 students a total $22.9 million in textbook costs.
M.O.S.T. OER Commons
M.O.S.T.'s OER Commons showcases OER developed or used at UMD, across Maryland, and beyond. Explore what your colleagues have created, and find course materials to adopt, adapt, or remix.
Want to publicize your own OER creations through the Commons? Our open education team can publish your work on your behalf. Please contact us for assistance.
