Skyline College recognizes the continued high cost of textbooks as a barrier that impacts student success. Although there are some Skyline College faculty who utilize open educational resources (OER), the vast majority use traditional textbooks. Inability to afford textbooks and course materials is an equity issue and it can be addressed through OER adoption.

Skyline College's goal is to promote OER awareness, faculty professional development, and ongoing support for OER adoption.

Current Projects

1. Open and Affordable Textbooks Project (Funded by President’s Innovation Fund)

Activities include:

o    Open Education Week

o    OER Awareness Campaign

o    Student and Faculty Surveys

o    Faculty Professional Development for OER adoption. 

2. Zero Textbook Cost Pathway - AS in Respiratory Care (Funded by  California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.)

Skyline College received close to $150,000 from the Zero Textbook Cost Degree – Implementation Phase II 2017/18 program   awarded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. 

Grant objectives include:

o    Identify, develop, and compile OER materials;

o    Review, refine, and adopt OER materials; and

o    Publish and pilot OER materials to be prepared for student enrollment in January 2019.

The Respiratory AS ZTC pathway begin serving students in Fall 2018. ZTC sections will also be available for the degree’s prerequisite courses in other fields.