The document summarizes research being conducted on the adoption of Open Course Library (OCL) materials by colleges in Washington state. The research aims to understand how OCL materials are being used, barriers to adoption, and the impact on student success. Preliminary findings from focus groups and interviews with faculty who adopted OCL materials found that they liked the pre-packaged materials and cost savings, but others faced barriers like materials residing in ANGEL and lack of support. Keys to successful adoption included communities of users, continuous improvement, and connections to authors. The implementation plan proposes building an OER hub, advisory group, workshops, and atmosphere welcoming OER use.

1. Examining the impact of Open Course
Library adoption on teaching practice
and student success
Credit: Timothy Valentine & Leo Reynolds CC BY-NC-SA
Boyoung Chae
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Tom Caswell
Western Governors University

2. OCL Project Overview
A collection of openly licensed (CC BY) educational
materials for 82 high-enrollment college courses
Project Goals:
1. Lower textbook costs for students
2. Improve course completion rates
3. Provide new resources for faculty
Credit: Timothy Valentine & Leo Reynolds CC BY-NC-SA

3. Open Course Library
• Phase 1: 42 courses
– http://opencourselibrary.org
– http://saylor.org
• Phase 2 : 40 courses
– Available Spring 2013

4. Research Questions
• The purpose of the study is to investigate the adoption of Open
Course Library (OCL) courses within the WA college system.
– How and to what extent, are open course materials being
shared and used?
– What are the barriers or keys to the successful adoption of
open course materials?
– What institutional policies are needed to support the adoption
and use of open course materials?
– How does the use of open course materials influence student
success?

5. Methodology
• Qualitative Study
– 1 hour focus group with a group of faculty who
have experience with OCL course materials
– 30 minute follow-up phone interviews with focus
group participants

6. Preliminary findings
• Focus group with two community colleges
• Follow-up phone interview with 15 faculty
who used OCL course materials

7. Preliminary findings 1
• Faculty who decided to adopt the OCL
materials liked:
– OCL materials being offered as a whole package
– OCL courses offers low cost textbook
– Proper institutional support
– OCL course quality was impressive

8. Preliminary findings 2
• Those who decided not to adopt the OCL
materials encountered the barriers including:
– OCL courses resides in ANGEL
– OCL courses did not offer low cost textbook
– Did not receive proper institutional support
– OCL course quality was not very impressive
• Outdated resources
• Course objectives were not aligned with course content
• Course did not utilize the proper open resources

9. Preliminary findings 3
• What faculty consider keys to successful
adoption
– A community of OCL users
– A system where they can continuously improve
these courses.
– More connection with the authors to ask
questions or suggest ideas.

10. Implementation Plan for OCL Adoption
1. Build Online State-wide OER HUB
2. Organize OER Advisory Group
3. Provide OER Hands-On Workshop
4. Work with Colleges to set the atmosphere
that is welcoming to use of OER
5. Build a larger OER community

11. Questions
Questions about OCL project or OCL research?
Boyoung Chae
Interim Open Course Library Manager
bchae@sbctc.edu
360-628-3549
Tom Caswell
Director of Instructional Design
Western Governors University