Inclusive Access and Open Educational Resources E-text Programs in Higher Education

This volume examines e-text programs across institutions, policies, and student success, with policy papers, case studies, and research papers providing evidence-based support for their adoption. There are 300 IAE programs in the US, but little scholarship assesses their impact on student success.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 189 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive volume explores e-text programs across a wide spectrum of programs, institutions, and policies in three parts. The first part showcases several policy papers that contextualize the discussion and highlight the reasons for the structure and obstacles faced by IAE programs for implementation. The second part delves into an in-depth exploration of various case studies, providing detailed descriptions of IAE programs, including program elements, structure, size, and insights into their operationalization and shortcomings and benefits to students and stakeholders. The final part comprises a selection of research papers that offer evidence-based support for the adoption of IAE programs in terms of student success, access, engagement, costs, and various other student and institutional outcomes.

Approximately 300 institutions of higher education in the United States currently have some form of Inclusive Access or Open Educational Resources E-text (IAE) program. However, there is limited scholarship that assesses the impact of these programs on student success. The findings of the research studies included in this volume will provide valuable insights to faculty, administrators, and policy-makers who aim to support the development, adoption, and implementation of IAE programs based on their potential positive effects on student success and other outcomes.

IAE programs have gained significant attention in recent years as a means to address the challenges of access to educational materials, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities. These programs aim to provide students with affordable and accessible digital textbooks and other educational resources, thereby reducing the financial burden on students and improving their academic outcomes.

One of the key features of IAE programs is their structure. These programs typically involve the provision of digital textbooks and other educational materials to students at a significantly lower cost than traditional printed textbooks. In addition, IAE programs often offer a range of other resources, such as interactive learning tools, multimedia content, and online discussion forums, to support student learning and engagement.

The case studies included in this volume provide a detailed examination of various IAE programs across different institutions and policies. These studies highlight the successes and challenges of these programs, including their impact on student success, access to educational materials, and costs. For example, one study examines the impact of an IAE program on student retention and graduation rates at a large public university. The study found that students who participated in the program were more likely to persist in their studies and graduate within six years than students who did not participate.

Another study explores the effectiveness of an IAE program in improving access to educational materials for students with disabilities. The study found that students with visual impairments who used IAE programs were more likely to complete their assignments and earn higher grades than students who did not use these programs.

The research papers included in this volume also offer evidence-based support for the adoption of IAE programs in terms of student success, access, engagement, and costs. For example, one study examines the impact of an IAE program on student engagement and academic performance. The study found that students who used IAE programs were more engaged in their studies and had higher academic performance than students who did not use these programs.

In conclusion, this comprehensive volume provides valuable insights into e-text programs across a wide spectrum of programs, institutions, and policies. The first part showcases policy papers that contextualize the discussion and highlight the reasons for the structure and obstacles faced by IAE programs for implementation. The second part delves into an in-depth exploration of various case studies, providing detailed descriptions of IAE programs, including program elements, structure, size, and insights into their operationalization and shortcomings and benefits to students and stakeholders. The final part comprises a selection of research papers that offer evidence-based support for the adoption of IAE programs in terms of student success, access, engagement, costs, and various other student and institutional outcomes. The findings of this volume will inform faculty, administrators, and policy-makers who seek to support the development, adoption, and implementation of IAE programs based on their potential positive effects on student success and other outcomes.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030457327
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020