Over 50 WPI faculty from 20 departments and programs responded to survey questions in B Term about how they choose course materials, what kinds of access their students have to these materials, and their awareness and interest in learning more about OER.
Of those who responded, only 27% indicated they expect students to purchase or rent textbooks. Nearly as many (26%) provide materials directly to students, while another 26% refer students to library databases or course reserves, while 20% provide access via free downloads from the open web.
Faculty indicated that the cost of materials to students is a top factor in choosing materials for 67%; while offering comprehensive content and activities is nearly as significant in their choices (59%).
Over half the faculty responding had some awareness of OER, and over 30% had used OER themselves, though only 14% considered themselves “very aware” of OER and how they can be used. They indicated OERs can be used to supplement existing materials, broaden the range of resources students use and support self-study, and they also found OERs a source of new ideas and inspiration in their teaching.
A third of faculty responded they would like to use OERs in the future, and among the popular suggestions for what would help them do this, is more help locating OER materials suitable for their courses – especially if organized by topic area (see subject guides like this one at Wesleyan) and/or vetted by other WPI faculty.