Outlined below are the current initiatives by the Business Technology Department that are aimed at reducing the expenses related to course materials. By alleviating the financial burden of course material costs, we are fostering an environment conducive to enhanced student success.
- Transition BT178 Customer Service requirement:
- Shift from individual student-purchased textbooks to a library-housed classroom set of texts. BA243 currently uses this model and by winter term BT178 will offer this model as well.
- Implement Open Educational Resources (OER) Texts:
- Convert a minimum of six core business classes to OER texts by the conclusion of the winter term. Current OER texts to be converted by the end of winter term include: BT113, BT114, BA101, BA224, BT101, and BA206.
- Future OER texts include: WR227, BA223, BT160, BA218, and BT250.
- Continued Utilization of Cengage Unlimited:
- Maintain the usage of Cengage Unlimited, offering students a “flat rate” for all materials within the Cengage Library.
- Presently, at least seven courses in our curriculum employ Cengage texts.
- Consistency in Course Materials:
- Ensure uniformity in text usage across all sections of a course. For instance, all sections of BA 131 will utilize the same text.
- Faculty Engagement in OER Workshops:
- Faculty members in the Business Technology Department are dedicated to attending OER workshops.
- Workshops will enhance understanding of low and no-cost text alternatives, contributing to improved options for our students.
If you or your department are actively engaged in endeavors to lower course material expenses, please reach out to Laura Haga-Duffy at lhduffy@roguecc.edu so that your work can be highlighted in a future edition of the Rogue Report.
— Laura Haga-Duffy