The process of completing your education involves a series of choices. At Northern Illinois University, we are working to make sure students do not have to choose whether to purchase course materials as part of that process.
Cost of course materials is a direct factor in how students approach their collegiate experience. A recent study illustrates this, with two-thirds of students saying they did not purchase their assigned course material(s) due to cost. In another study, 50 percent of students said they have taken fewer courses due to the cost of textbooks.
Launched in spring 2021 as a collaboration between the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning and University Libraries, NIU’s Course Materials Affordability Task Force (CMAT) is designed to reduce barriers to education and support student success by increasing the number of NIU courses that require only free or low-cost course materials.
Serving as an example of shared leadership in action, CMAT has since expanded and now includes faculty representation from every college, as well as the Student Government Association. CMAT works in alignment with NIU’s Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Plan 2.0 and university goals to facilitate adoption of affordable course materials wherever possible.
The impact has been significant. In 2022-2023, free or low-cost ($40 or less) course materials were used in 548 course sections at NIU, impacting more than 11,000 students enrolled, resulting in $1.37M savings to students.
“55 percent of our students are first generation students, and a lot of students have financial barriers to their education. Providing affordable course materials is an equitable practice for teaching, because if a student can’t afford their texts, they can’t afford to learn in your class,” said Amanda Smothers, Teaching and Learning coordinator for the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, and CMAT co-chair.
“A lot of students wait to see if they really need the textbook before they buy it, either because they can’t afford to pay for it or they have to wait until financial aid comes through, which could be a few weeks into the semester,” said Smothers. “Giving students access to affordable course materials from the first day of class alleviates some of those access issues and gets them started on the right foot, which is really important for their success.”
As NIU seeks to reengage adult learners, this process comes to the forefront in making sure courses are affordable for all students.
“This is important for adult learners. They’re looking at things differently, and if they’re going to reengage with NIU, they may be looking for low-cost or free materials,” said Tracy Miller. director of Instructional Design and Development for NIU’s Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, and CMAT co-chair.
Miller adds, “Adult learners remember when they first started college, having this really expensive textbook. They may say, ‘What was holding me back, or how I found I couldn’t be successful, was not having the same access to those materials as some of my classmates.’ As we talk about inclusivity, this is a way we want to serve our students and bring them back into the fold, so they can be successful.”
In addition to providing students with free or low-cost course materials in a timely fashion, this process empowers faculty members by giving them the ability to create their own course materials.
“Faculty members are not letting the textbook learning objectives drive their course,” said Miller. “They are the ones deciding the learning objectives and appropriate materials for their course, in the best way that they can promote accessibility and inclusivity, while helping their students love their discipline and be able to move forward in a career.”
These sentiments are echoed by Dee Anna Phares, assistant professor for University Libraries, and CMAT co-chair.
“As a faculty member, it’s empowering, creating materials that really reflect the course you want to teach,” said Phares. “This also allows you to create a potentially more inclusive text, because you are thinking about who your students are, and how they can be reflected in those materials. It isn’t just about the cost; it really is about access and ensuring that everyone can access these materials in formats that work for them.”
The benefit to students comes, not only in the form of lower costs to complete their education and more inclusive course materials, but also in a classroom experience tailored to their strengths and interests, where students are included in the conversation as course materials are created.
“There is the possibility to invite students as co-creators in this process,” said Phares, who notes this can have a positive impact on student retention. “For a student, if you feel you are participating in something that doesn’t feel disposable, something that feels like it continues and you’re a part of it, your level of investment is a lot higher. That makes learning more powerful and long lasting.”
Students and faculty members can access and bookmark the list of NIU courses taught with free or low-cost course materials. This list continues to grow, thanks in part to NIU’s Affordable Course Materials Integration Cohort, a group of faculty members tasked with converting existing courses to those with free or low-cost course materials.
Cohort participants learn how to locate, evaluate and integrate affordable course materials, and receive a $500 stipend upon completion of program requirements.
As part of this overall initiative, NIU’s Affordable Course Materials Leading Impact Program celebrates and recognizes departments and faculty members creating and utilizing the highest percentage of free or low-cost course materials. Winning departments receive a financial award and recognition on NIU’s website.
2023 department award winners:
- Departmental Achievement – Department of Philosophy, 73 percent of courses with materials designated as free or low-cost.
- Departmental Honorable Mention – College of Business, 65 percent of courses with materials designated as free or low-cost.
- Departmental Outstanding Effort – Department of English, 64 percent of courses with materials designated as free or low-cost.
To learn more about CMAT or get involved, contact Smothers, Miller or Phares.
Note: Larissa Garcia of University Libraries is the fourth CMAT co-chair, and currently is on sabbatical.
This article originally published in NIU Today, December 14, 2023.
