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OER Heroes!:  

CCAC OER Heroes!

superheroCCAC is pleased to acknowledge and express gratitude to our faculty for Open Educational Resources advocacy and innovation in course materials.  Textbook Heroes are members of the CCAC Faculty whose use of open and affordable resources has lowered financial barriers and contributed to more equitable access to education for students.

Be a Hero!

Karen Sneberger

karen sneberger

Karen Sneberger

SPH 101

Approximate student savings per semester: $3000

Which OER? Public Speaking - The Public Speaking Project

Why OER? I started using the OER when I was teaching an online course and love the cost-effective option for students.

Student comments: My students love that they do not have to purchase a book. They also have commented that they find it a really good supplement to our lectures.

Hannah Thomas

Hannah Thomas

Hannah Thomas

DVS060-BC01 DVS060-BC02 DVS060-BC71

Approximate student savings per semester: $2926

Which OER? Amie Erickson and I compiled useful portions of two OERs in order to make our cohesive OER for DVS060. Erickson & Thomas

Why OER? The textbook I was using for DVS060 went to a new edition, increasing in price.

Student comments: So far I've only received one comment: "I don't have to buy the textbook? Great!"

 

Patrick Huth

Patrick Huth

Patrick Huth

PHS 107

Approximate student savings per semester: $3960

Which OER? OpenStax Astronomy

Why OER? To make quality resources available to CCAC Students

Student comments: Thank you for making this course more affordable.

Ashleigh Fox

Ashliegh Fox

Ashleigh Fox

English 101, Children's Literature

Approximate student savings per semester: $21,575

Which OER? English 101: Academic Writing: An Introduction (created by a team of CCAC English instructors) The Inside, Outside, and Upside Downs of Children's Literature: From Poets and Pop-Ups to Princesses and Porridge

Why OER? I become interested in OERs when I noticed how many students were having difficulty affording their textbooks. I then had an opportunity to collaboratively create an OER customized for English 101 students, and I was fascinated by the process!

Student comments:My students have really appreciated both cost-free textbooks and easy digital access. I love that, in the classroom, students can simply glance at their laptops, e-readers, or even phones to access the textbook: no one can say they "forgot" or "don't have" the book, as it's literally at our fingertips! My English 101 students told me that they really enjoyed having a book that was written specifically for them by their own professors. They appreciated that personalization, which would never happen with a traditional off-the-shelf textbook.

Heather Klenovich

Heather Klenovich

Heather Klenovich

BIO 175: Microbiology

Approximate student savings per semester: $9156

Which OER? Self authored Microbiology Lab book

Why OER? After serving as a liaison on the OER development team last spring, I was very motivated to develop my own OER microbiology lab book.

I have taught microbiology for many years and had been collecting pictures and altered lab techniques. Also, the lab book we previously used was not as user friendly as I liked and was constantly adapting labs for our classroom.

Student comments: It's free. It is very succint!

Ashley Ferrainolo

Ashley Clark

Ashley Ferrainolo

SPH 101: Oral Communications

Approximate student savings per semester: $5400

Which OER? The Public Speaking Project

Why OER? To easily supplement my lectures and learning materials in an affordable and easy manner for students.

Student comments: Students have shared how easy it is to read the material for the class because they can connect to the book on any device.

Michele Napierkowski

Michele Napierkowski

Michele Napierkowski

ECD 101, 103, 104, 209, 211

Approximate savings in 23SP: $5120

Which OER? Child Growth and Development by College of the Canyons.

Why OER? OER can be updated and revised easily, making it possible to keep course materials current and relevant. The field of education is ever-changing. It was endlessly frustrating to find textbooks already outdated on the first day of class.

Laura Gilbert

Laura Gilbert

Laura Gilbert

DVS 101 & 103

Approximate student savings per semester: $7278

Which OER? Developmental Studies 101 (College Reading 2)-- currently in use Developmental Studies 103 (Advanced College Reading and Study Skills)-- future use

Why OER? I wanted to reduce the reoccurrence of students not having the textbook for various reasons, the main one being the high price of most textbooks. I wanted to offer a textbook that students could afford-- a free one!

Student comments: The students were excited that the OER was free.

Jill Oblak

jill oblak

Jill Oblak

SOC 101: Intro to Sociology

Approximate student savings per semester: $23,210

Which OER? OpenStax Sociolgy 2e

Why OER? Many of my students were not purchasing the textbook for class due to cost. I switched to a lower cost textbook but still had issues. With the OER every student has the book on Day 1. Students can better participate in classroom discussions and class time can involve discussions of the material.

Student comments: Many students have expressed appreciation for not having to purchase an expensive textbook. They seem to particularly like the app available for their phones.

Corinne Bauman

Corinne Bauman

Corinne Bauman

MAT080, MAT090, in Fall 2020 MAT108

Approximate student savings per semester: $7857

Which OER? Openstax "Pre-Algebra", Openstax "Elementary Algebra", and Openstax "Intermediate Algebra"

Why OER? Students have access to the book on the first day of school, so I can assign homework assignments right away. Students already pay for the course; wouldn't it be amazing if that was all they had to pay for?

Student comments: "I love that it's free" "I had access to the book on the first day of class"

Elizabeth Claytor

Elizabeth Claytor

Elizabeth Claytor

ENG 101: Composition I

Approximate student savings per semester: $5950

Which OER? OpenNowNon-Fiction Anthology and You, Writing!

Why OER? I was deeply concerned about textbook expense for students. I have used OER for the 2019-2020 academic year. I am using two OER resources now, but I am planning to augment them for the next school year.

Student comments: The students appreciate the savings and the fact we care about them.

Greg Joyce

Greg Joyce

Greg Joyce

CJC 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice, CJC 151 Criminal Justice Law, CJC 152 Criminal Justice Ethics

Approximate student savings per semester: $2360 fro CJC 101, for CJC 151 on all four campuses $37,200

Which OER? Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System, Criminal Law

Why OER? Save students money, but guarantee that they have the material needed for class. Eliminate any excuse for a student not to have read the required material for class.

Student comments: Students are not commenting, but are using the book. They point out discrepancies between the book, the class, or quiz.

Richard Wingfield

Richard Wingfield

Richard Wingfield

SPH 101

Approximate student savings per semester: $450

Which OER? Public Speaking - The Public Speaking Project

Why OER? It was made available when I began teaching at CCAC.

Walt Pauli

OER logo

Walter Pauli

CIT111, CIT217

Approximate student savings per semester: $4000 per semester

Which OER? Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/ Software Interface, Fifth Edition by David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy
Introduction To MIPS Assembly Language Programming by Charles W. Kann

Why OER? For CIT-111, there are many inexpensive or free resources (websites, trade paperbacks) on Java. There was no need for a specific book since I also provide many lecture notes and my own homework assignments. For CIT-217, the free online older edition satisfies the course requirements and is considered the "bible" on this subject matter.

 

Joanna Kazmierczak

Joanna Kazmierczak

Joanna Kazmierczak

Anatomy & Physiology BIO 161 and 161L

Approximate student savings per semester: $130,887 with Caroline Evans and Robert Ficco

Which OER? OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology Textbook and CCAC created Laboratory Manual

Why OER? Improving affordability and accessibility to course materials .

Student comments: "I have all my class materials on the first day - and can save money for day-to-day living expenses."

 

Joel Wilson

Joel Wilson

Joel Wilson

English 101

Approximate student savings per semester: $84,960 with Elizabeth Throesch, John Fantin, Koryn Noah-Patrick, Jeannie Schulte, and Ashleigh Fox

Which OER? English 101: Academic Writing: An Introduction (created by a team of CCAC English instructors)

Why OER? I wanted to provide my students quality materials but not compound the cost of higher education.

Student comments: My students appreciated not having to pay money out of pocket for a text.

Rachel Griffo

Joel Wilson

Rachel Griffo

Approximate student savings per semester: $1150

Technical Communications/English 103

Which OER? Tech Writing Handbook by Kyle Wiens and Julia Bluff

Why OER? I want to create quality courses that are affordable and accessible to students. Students find the OER  accessible, up-to-date, and easy to read.  

Student Comments: Students find the OER accessible, up-to-date, and easy to read.  

Caroline Evans

A&P Biology 161/162 Research Guide

Caroline Evans

BIO 161 and 162 - Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2

Approximate student savings per semester: $130,887 with Joanna Kazmeirczak and Robert Ficco

Which OER? OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology and a CCAC created lab manual.

Why OER? Publisher's textbooks were more expensive than the class. We needed a change.

Student comments: Students were so relieved to not have to purchase a textbook or lab manual - it helps them use the funds to cover tuition or costs at home.

Creative Commons License
Except where otherwise noted, Open Educational Resources at CCAC by Community College of Allegheny County Libraries is licensed
under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.