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OPEN FL: For Students

Guide for the open and affordable learning community of Florida, OPEN FL.

The OER Student Advocate Packet

flyer shows students finding, sharing, and thanking professors around OER, and there is a QR code on bottom left.

Open Educational Resources (OER), are no cost learning objects, teaching resources (Free textbooks!) that faculty can use in place of a costly textbook or access code. OER are FREE course materials available to anyone at any time! Instructors may be using OER for you current (or next) course. 

OER are free to access at any time, saving students money. 

Student advocacy for open educational resources (OER) and affordable course content is essential, meaningful work that can make huge impacts on OER programs.  This quick, actionable messaging for students can fit into their packed schedules.

ZTC means zero textbook costs--that is, courses marked ZTC must have no cost for student access, including ancillaries, homework, quizzes, etc.  These resources must be freely accessible to the students without barriers. Please note, OER and ZTC do not necessarily mean the same thing, rather OER is a method of achieving ZTC.

Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) Library Services developed this Student Advocate Packet, outlining three steps students can take that day to move their campus communities toward using open and affordable course content in accordance with legislation, specifically FL § 1006.73. 

STEP 1 - FIND

For step 2, we encourage you to find an OER for a course you're taking or enroll in a ZTC course next semester.

If you are taking a course this semester or next you may be able to find an OER to supplement your learning goals. 

Looking for classes for next semester? Find a Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Course to add to your schedule.

STEP 2 - SHARE

For step 1, you're invited to share the word on OER. Some ideas include:

  • Use social channels to share with your friends and instructors - send the flyer as an image and explain what you have learned about OER
  • Posting on Social Media - Snap a picture, shoot a quick reel, create a thread, or post to any social media of your liking – 
    • @ someone who you think may help  
    • Include #OPENFL and #OER 
  • Talk about the benefits of OER and Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC) courses for you, fellow students or faculty
  • Print the student flyer and post to a campus board.

Here are some examples of social media shares:

STEP 3 - THANK

The last step !  Quick and easy right?

Privately or publicly thank faculty who adopt open textbooks or individuals who support OER and ZTC efforts on your campus. You may also reach out to your Department Heads, Student Body Leadership, and Senior Leadership and let them know you support the use of OER textbooks and encourage them to add more ZTC courses for your degree

We invite you to go beyond these steps and continue to advocate for OER and ZTC courses. 

For your convenience. we have pulled additional information together below for OER Student Advocates

For more information on OER, contact your campus librarian or textbook affordability/OER liaison. Here is a list of departments by Florida public higher ed institution.

Questions about the Student Advocate Packet (SAP)? Contact Elisabeth Ball at FLVC (eball@flvc.org).

Short Video on Skyrocketing Textbook Costs

Official Launch Video, May 15, 2023