Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) has
developed two zero-textbook-cost degree programs that can be adapted for use by
other institutions. The courses use open educational resources (OER) and
fulfill all requirements for associate degrees in general studies and social
sciences offered by NOVA.
The institution claims it’s the first community college
to fully share its OER courses, according to a report in eCampus News. Other colleges can use the program, developed through the NOVA
Extended Learning Institute, to fit their own learning outcomes.
NOVA has partnered with Lumen Learning to create the
courses, which are available through the Lumen website.
For a fee, institutions can access additional services from Lumen, such as
faculty training, technical and OER program design support, and help in
customizing course materials.
“This
step by NOVA goes far towards putting OER degree programs within reach for
other colleges,” said TJ Bliss, program officer in the education program at the
Hewlett Foundation. “It gives academic leaders a vision of what is now possible
in open education, as well as the means to get there. For institutions
struggling with affordability and access, OER degree programs can catalyze
systemic change towards open education, and colleges can reap the benefits in
terms of student success.”