The Open & Affordable Education Committee (OAEC) is committed to fostering change in the current course materials environment by making it easiuer for instructors to find, evaluate, and adopt more affordable materials for their classes. In addition to supporting the use of OER, the OAEC is also proud to support Course Reserves, Immediate Access, and other options available for making your course more affordable for students.
Learn more about Course Reserves | Learn More about Immediate Access | Learn More about Other Options
What is Course Reserves?
ISU Library’s Course Reserves service works with instructors to make available required course materials for current classes. Instructors work with Library staff to create course lists of these materials, the majority of which are available full-text or streaming online and can be accessed by students 24/7. This allows students to access online course lists and required materials easily.
Why should I consider Course Reserves?
Course Reserves offers flexible access to both online and physical reserves for students. If you need to ensure that your students have access to online articles, streaming videos, or just a physical copy of your textbook, Course Reserves is a great choice.
Where can I find Course Reserves?
- Learn more: Course Reserves overview
- Contact: University Library Course Reserves Department, ereserve@iastate.edu
What is Immediate Access?
Iowa State’s Immediate Access program is a collaborative program between the ISU Book Store, faculty, and publishers by negotiating a reduced rate for course materials that students are given access to on the first day of class.
Why should I consider Immediate Access?
The ISU Immediate Access program makes it easy to save your students money by working with the publishers of your current textbook to get a discount on online access for all students. Your students will have immediate, day one access to their course materials through this model, and the costs to access materials will be charged directly to their U-Bill.
Where can I find Immediate Access information?
- Learn more: ISU Immediate Access website
- Contact: ISU Book Store Immediate Access team, immediateaccess@iastate.edu
Other Options
Your teaching and learning materials don't have to be OER to be affordable (or even free)! Check out the following options to see if one of them fits your teaching or learning needs best:
- Make a course packet of select readings and activities to replace a longer book list.
- Incorporate student-centered or student-created assessments in place of paid homework software. For examples, visit our Open Pedagogy page.
- Share a YouTube video or PhET simulation to build on other materials shared in class for free.