The Impact of Open Textbooks in the USA and South Africa: When? Why? How?
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The webinar discusses the impact of open textbooks in the USA and South Africa, focusing on two main platforms, Siyavula and OpenStax College. It highlights educator perspectives, methodologies, and benefits of open educational resources, such as improved student performance and increased financial savings. Future steps include further data analysis and dissemination of findings to maximize the impact of open textbooks in education.
The Impact of Open Textbooks in the USA and South Africa: When? Why? How?
- 1. The Impact of Open Textbooks in the USA & South Africa: When? Why? How? (Webinar: 05/28/14) Dr. Beck Pitt The Open University Megan Beckett Siyavula Daniel Williamson OpenStax College
- 2. • OER Research Hub project and Impact Map • Siyavula and OpenStax College Open Textbooks • Methodology: Educator Sample Groups • OER Behaviours • OpenStax College: Impact • Siyavula: Impact • Educator Perspectives • Summary/Next Steps Overview http://oerresearchhub.org #oerrhub @OER_Hub
- 3. Background
- 4. • 2-year research project based at The Open University (UK) • Funded by William & Flora Hewlett Foundation • Aiming to build the most comprehensive picture of OER impact • Eleven research hypotheses • Collaboration model across different educational sectors • Global reach but with a USA focus • Fellowship Scheme • Practicing openness: CC-BY licensed research instruments / SOO Course / Impact Map OER Research Hub oerresearchhub.org #oerrhub @OER_Hub
- 5. Keyword Hypothesis Performance OER improve student performance/satisfaction Openness People use OER differently from other online materials Access OER widen participation in education Retention OER can help at-risk learners to finish their studies Reflection OER use leads educators to reflect on their practice Finance OER adoption brings financial benefits for students/institutions Indicators Informal learners use a variety of indicators when selecting OER Support Informal learners develop their own forms of study support Transition OER support informal learners in moving to formal study Policy OER use encourages institutions to change their policies Assessment Informal assessments motivate learners using OER
- 13. Siyavula OverviewAll textbooks in Afrikaans and English The Thunderbolt kids Natural Sciences & Technology. 6 million textbooks distributed across ZA. Everything Maths & Science Math and Science. 1 million books distributed across ZA. Curious: Discover the Possibilities Natural Sciences. Hardcopy textbook distribution pending.
- 14. OpenStax College Overview http://openstaxcollege.org/faculty First textbook published June 2012 15 “ecosystem” partners 4.2 million unique visitors Over half a million downloads of OSC textbooks $10.8 million in student savings Nearly 700 institutions have adopted OSC textbooks Over 110K students have used OSC textbooks
- 15. Methodology
- 16. Overview OpenStax College Siyavula OER improve student performance/satisfaction People use OER differently from other online materials OER use leads educators to reflect on their practice OER adoption brings financial benefits for students/institutions
- 18. Educator Sample: OpenStax College • 77 Respondents in total (have used/use OSC textbooks) • 73.7% Male (n=56) and 26.3% Female (n=20) • Over 85% of respondents live in the United States (88.2%, n=67) • Other respondents live in Canada, Singapore, Malaysia & Australia (11.8%, n=9) • 90.7% of respondents have English as their first spoken language (n=68) • Over 90% of respondents have a Masters degree and/or PhD (39.5%, n=30 and 52.6%, n=40 respectively) • Over 55% of respondents work in a HE/University context (57.1%, n=44) • 76.6% of respondents do F/T face-to-face teaching (n=59) • Nearly 70% of respondents have been teaching for more than 10 years (67.1%, n=51)
- 19. Educator Sample: Siyavula • 89 Respondents in total (have used/use Siyavula textbooks) • 50.6% Male (n=44) and 49.4% Female (n=43) • Over 95% of respondents live in the South Africa (97.5%, n=79) • Top three Responses (Province): 38.0% of respondents live in Gauteng (n=30), 27.8% in the Western Cape (n=22), 10.1% in the Eastern Cape (n=8), 10.1% in KwaZulu- Natal (n=8), Around two thirds of respondents have English as their first spoken language (66.7%, n=58) • 18.2% of respondents have a Masters degree and/or PhD (12.5%, n=11 & 5.7%, n=5 respectively) • Nearly 60% of respondents work F/T or P/T in a Private School (58.1%, n=50). • 36.0% of respondents work F/T or P/T in a Public School (n=31) • 80.5% of respondents do F/T face-to-face teaching (n=70) • 65.1% of respondents have been teaching for more than 10 years (n=56)
- 20. OER Behaviours
- 21. The use and creation of Open Educational Resources: Siyavula & OpenStax College Statement /Question Siyavula Respondents OpenStax Respondents “I have adapted open educational resources to fit my needs” 55.1% (n=38) 90.9% (n=70) “I have created OER for study or teaching” 29.0% (n=20) 48.1% (n=37) “I have created resources myself and published them on an open license” 13.0% (n=9) 14.3% (n=11) Top three types of OER used for teaching/training Videos (83.3%, n=60) Open Textbooks (81.9%, n=59), Images (73.6%, n=53) Open Textbooks (98.7%, n=76) Videos (79.2%, n=61) Images (72.7%, n=56) Biggest challenge for respondents when using OER “Not having enough time to look for suitable resources” (70.1%, n=47) “Finding resources of sufficiently high quality” (65.3%, n=49)
- 22. OpenStax College Textbooks: Impact
- 23. “In what ways, if any, has using OpenStax College textbooks impacted on your own teaching practice?”
- 24. “In what ways, if any, has using OpenStax College textbooks impacted on your students?” “The resource gave them a sound understanding of the topic and they were able to do self-directed study from it. The result is that seniors have excelled in their exams.”
- 25. “In what ways, if any, has using OpenStax College textbooks impacted on your students?” “more student engagement in lab activities and lecture presentation” “Students seem somewhat more engaged.”
- 27. “In what ways, if any, has using Siyavula textbooks impacted on your own teaching practice?” “Good exercises, sound scientific principles, collaborative effort by educated, qualified professionals.”
- 28. “In what ways, if any, has using Siyavula textbooks impacted on your students?” “Second language students found it very accessible. In the absence of a teacher, or for self teacher for any reason, it is a very learner- centric and friendly text.” “Students have the freedom to copy the book legally and pass on sections of the book. They also have the free to share the book online or read them online as they need to. It made it convenient from a reference point of view.”
- 29. Educator Perspectives: Siyavula & OpenStax College
- 30. “Based on your experiences as a teacher, to what extent do you agree with the following statements?” % of educators who strongly agree or agree with the following statements: "Use of Open Educational Resources (e.g. OpenStax College/Siyavula textbooks) in the classroom...” Top three responses (Siyavula): Allows me to better accommodate diverse learners’ needs (85.2%, n=52) Develops learners’ increased independence and self-reliance (84.6%, n=55) Builds learners’ confidence (81.0%, n=51) Top three responses (OpenStax College): Allows me to better accommodate diverse learners’ needs (67.1%, n=49) Increases learners’ satisfaction with the learning experience (66.2%, n=49) Increases learners’ experimentation with new ways of learning (64.4%, n=47)
- 31. “As a result of using Siyavula/OpenStax College textbooks, are you more or less likely to do any of the following?” 96.1% of educators who use OSC textbooks are more likely to recommend OpenStax College textbooks to fellow educators/teachers (n=73) 90.8% of educators who use Siyavula textbooks are more likely to recommend Siyavula textbooks to fellow educators/teachers (n=59) 92.3% of educators who use Siyavula textbooks are more likely to recommend Siyavula textbooks to students as an additional/optional study aid (n=60) 88.0% of educators who use OpenStax College textbooks are more likely to recommend OSC textbooks to students as an additional/optional study aid (n=66) Nearly 80% of respondents who use OSC textbooks are more likely to use OER for teaching (79.5%, n=58) 90.2% of respondents who use Siyavula textbooks are more likely to use other free educational resources for teaching (n=55)
- 32. Summary and Next Steps
- 33. Summary/Next Steps Next Steps Further analysis of Siyavula and OpenStax College data, e.g. comparison of adopters/users with non-users, public school respondents with private school respondents Further comparisons between open textbook surveys Case studies, comparative impact data and instructor interviews Open dissemination of data and findings via Impact Map Add your evidence to the Impact Map! Further Comments and Summary Thanks for listening! …Any questions?
- 34. Thanks for listening! http://oerresearchhub.org http://oermap.org http://openstaxcollege.org http://www.siyavula.com Twitter: @BeckPitt, @new_edu, @MeganBeckett2
- 35. in service of The Open University