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Open Educational Resources (OER) & Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) at GCC

ZTC & LTC Statistics at Glendale Community College

Since Fall 2018, Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) and Low Textbook Cost (LTC) courses at GCC have saved students an estimated*

$8.8 million!

Definitions

GCC ZTC

Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) classes offer free access to all textbooks, books, software, and homework systems required for the class.

Low Textbook Cost (LTC) classes have a required textbook and software cost that is less than $40 total.

OER

OER / Open Educational Resources are free and openly licensed educational materials that can be used for teaching, learning, and research. OER is just one type of material that can be used to make a class ZTC.

 

*Cost savings estimate is calculated using $100 as the average cost of a textbook, based on OpenOregon’s “Is the average cost of a textbook $100?” ZTC savings are estimated at $100/student and LTC savings are estimated at $60/student.

Find ZTC & LTC Courses in the Online Class Schedule

See how to search for Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) and Low Textbook Cost (LTC) courses on the Zero & Low Textbook Cost page:

Screenshot of Zero and Low Textbook Cost page

List Your Course as ZTC/LTC

GCC Faculty, is your course Zero or Low Textbook Cost? Make sure your course section is marked correctly in the Online Class Schedule so students can find it! 

In order to properly advertise classes, XB12 codes are due one month prior to the start of priority registration for a semester/session. See current due dates here: ZTC & LTC Deadlines (OER Events Calendar).

  • To list your course section as ZTC/LTC, determine which XB12 code should be listed and let your Division Chair know when you accept your section assignments. They will submit the information to the Curriculum department.
  • Section not listed correctly? Contact your Division Chair, who will work with the Curriculum department to correct the listing.

Best Practices for Equitable Access to Course Materials

Below are the Best Practices for Equitable Access to Course Materials as defined by the GCC Academic Senate OER Committee, from best case scenario (Tier 1) to the minimum that should be offered (Tier 5).

Tiers of access to required books and other course materials Description Corresponding XB12 Codes Free, legal access (ZTC) Available through Canvas course shell Available for purchase at GCC Bookstore Low Cost (LTC: under $40 total) Reserve copy available at GCC Library
Tier 1: Free access + Bookstore All course materials are 1) legally free for the student to access (e.g. OER, open access, and/or through the Library) through their Canvas course shell and 2) there are low cost/at cost physical versions offered through the GCC Bookstore (for students with no- or low-quality internet access) A, C, E, F, G n/a n/a
Tier 2: Free access All course materials are legally free for the student to access through their Canvas course shell A, C, E, F, G X n/a n/a
Tier 3: Low cost + Bookstore + Library Course materials are 1) low cost (under $40/course) and 2) are available for purchase through the GCC Bookstore (so that students with financial aid can purchase them) and 3) there is a print or digital reserve copy available through the Library D X X
Tier 4: Bookstore + Library All course materials 1) are available for purchase through the GCC Bookstore and 2) there is a print or digital reserve copy available through the Library Y X X X
Tier 5: Bookstore only All course materials are available for purchase through the GCC Bookstore Y X X X X

   All content on this guide is licensed CC BY 4.0 International, except where otherwise noted.

Preferred attribution: Open Educational Resources (OER) & Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) at GCC by Glendale Community College (CC BY 4.0)


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