OER - Open Educational Resources

What are TLC and TZC? 

Courses marked Textbook Low Cost in the Searchable Class Schedule have textbooks and materials costing less than $20 total. Courses marked Textbook Zero Cost do not require you to purchase any textbook or other learning materials.

Many FLC Faculty members have eliminated textbook costs by converting their courses to Open Educational Resources (OER). More information about OER and their use at FLC is available on the other pages in this guide.

Our Low & Zero Cost Classes have saved students almost half a million dollars in 4 years.

  $500,000   

Piggy Bank Icon in Line Style By Lima Studio is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Savings estimate based on previous textbook costs and number of students in classes with instructors participating in the OER stipend program. Actual savings are likely higher.

How Do I Find Low or Zero Cost Classes?

1. Navigate to the Searchable Class Schedule, select a term (semester), and continue.
2. Navigate to the Advanced Search.
3. Select Textbook Low Cost and/or Textbook Zero Cost from the Attributes drop down menu.
4. Add any other search criteria you want to apply (such as Subject, Course Number, or Instructor).
5. Look for this symbol in the Attribute column on the right.

Benefits of Low & Zero Cost Classes

1. Your course reading materials are free!
2. Access is available from the first day of class (no waiting for your financial aid to come in or textbooks to be shipped).
3. You can download the materials and keep them as long as you want.
4. No expensive new editions. 
5. No need to return rentals or sell back books at the end of the semester.
6. Instructors can make the course reading materials more engaging and representative of FLC students.