4.5: Affordable Learning Solutions

Criterion Overview

Affordable learning resources help reduce financial barriers while expanding access to high-quality instructional materials. Open Educational Resources (OER), library resources, and other free or low-cost instructional materials can provide students with immediate access to course content without the additional expense of purchasing commercial materials.

When using OER or other openly available resources, instructors should understand and follow the copyright and licensing terms associated with each resource. Many OER materials are distributed under Creative Commons licenses that specify how the content may be used, shared, revised, or adapted. Properly acknowledging licensing information helps protect intellectual property, models ethical use of digital resources, and ensures materials are used in accordance with the creator's permissions.

Affordable learning resources extend beyond textbooks. They may include videos, simulations, articles, images, podcasts, datasets, software, and other instructional materials that support the learning objectives while reducing costs for students.

Why It Matters

Reducing the cost of instructional materials helps improve student access and success. Students who have immediate access to required learning materials from the beginning of the course are better prepared to participate in learning activities and complete assignments without unnecessary financial barriers.

Using OER and other affordable resources also provides instructors with greater flexibility to select, adapt, and organize materials that best support their instructional goals. Understanding copyright and licensing requirements promotes ethical use of digital resources while encouraging responsible sharing and collaboration across the educational community.

What This Looks Like

A well-designed course typically includes:

• Open Educational Resources (OER) or other free or low-cost instructional materials that support the course objectives.
• Copyright and licensing information provided for openly licensed resources when appropriate.
• Instructional materials that comply with copyright laws and licensing agreements.
• Affordable resources that are integrated into the course and easily accessible to students.
• Learning materials selected based on instructional value rather than cost alone.
• Resources that are current, relevant, and appropriate for the discipline.

Design Tips

Ask yourself: Can students access the instructional materials they need on the first day of class, and are those materials used in accordance with their copyright and licensing terms?

✔ Explore Open Educational Resources (OER), library resources, and other affordable instructional materials before requiring commercial resources.

✔ Verify that all instructional materials comply with applicable copyright and licensing requirements.

✔ Include Creative Commons or other licensing information when using openly licensed materials.

✔ Review external links regularly to ensure resources remain available and current.

✔ Select instructional materials based on their alignment with the learning objectives and instructional value.

✔ Work with librarians or instructional designers to identify high-quality affordable learning resources.

✔ When appropriate, contribute original instructional materials to the open education community using an appropriate Creative Commons license.