Collaborating with an international partner institution to mitigate the cost of course textbooks

Abstract

This study describes an initiative to improve textbook access and affordability for students in the University at Buffalo’s international partnership program with the Singapore Institute of Management. This undertaking has provided free electronic access to scores of textbooks, affecting thousands of students, and potentially saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars. It has also given rise to the adoption of open educational resources among program faculty. To gain a greater understanding of the initiative’s strengths, weaknesses, and impact, the author administered a survey of students over the course of two academic terms. The resulting data showed a majority of respondents who reported an increase in course satisfaction, and who indicated that free access to electronic textbooks may have an indirect impact on their future course selections. It also showed a surprisingly high percentage of respondents who reported their perception of a learning benefit associated with free electronic access to course texts.