Textbook Affordability Project Administered by the University Library

About Dr. Youngki Woo

Youngki Woo is an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He obtained his Ph.D. from Washington State University in 2019. His research interests include theory testing, correctional institutions, procedural justice and legitimacy of legal authorities, and quantitative methods. His work has been widely published in the field of criminology and criminal justice.

Course Redesign Project and Experience

With the guidance of professional librarians (Thank you Gabrielle and Justin!) in 2023, he redesigned two criminal justice core courses, Introduction to Criminal Justice (CRIJ 1301) and Research Methods (CRIJ 6308), utilizing Open Educational Sources (OER). Dr. Woo created custom lecture slides for all textbook chapters in these courses. He also created short weekly videos to engage his undergraduate students. Additionally, he curated supplemental materials such as journal articles and multimedia resources for student assignments and study aids. The zero-cost course model received positive feedback from students, as evidenced by their favorable course evaluations. Though the process of course redesign was time-consuming, the academic and personal satisfaction derived from seeing his students benefit from the new materials was immensely gratifying.

He found redesigning and rebuilding his course using affordable course materials was both challenging and rewarding. It required a significant investment of time and effort to research and select appropriate Open Educational Sources (OER) that aligned with the course content and learning objectives. Adapting these materials to fit the specific needs of his courses and creating supplementary resources such as lecture slides and videos added to the workload.

However, the process was also incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that he was able to provide his students with high-quality educational resources at zero cost alleviated financial burdens and increased accessibility to learning. Witnessing the positive response from students, who appreciated the affordability and quality of the materials, was particularly rewarding. Additionally, the experience allowed him to explore innovative teaching methods and foster a sense of creativity in course design.

Student Feedback

The feedback from students upon discovering they didn't have to purchase a textbook was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed gratitude for the financial relief, as textbooks can often be a significant expense. Students appreciated the opportunity to access course materials at no cost, which made the learning experience more accessible and inclusive. Overall, students felt empowered by the elimination of textbook costs and expressed enthusiasm for the use of OER in the course. This feedback reinforced the value of adopting affordable course materials and highlighted the importance of promoting equity and accessibility in education.

Reflections

Reflecting on his experience, he would like to offer some insights that could benefit other faculty considering the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER). First, providing students with zero-cost course materials can enhance student engagement and satisfaction. When students feel that their financial concerns are being addressed, they can focus more on their learning and academic success. Additionally, utilizing OER or affordable teaching textbooks can significantly enhance accessibility and equity in education by reducing financial barriers for students. Second, adopting OER allows for greater flexibility and customization in course design. Faculty members have the freedom to adapt and modify materials to suit their teaching style and the unique needs of their students. This flexibility promotes innovation in curriculum development.

Overall, his experiences with OER and affordable course materials have been overwhelmingly positive, reaffirming the value of accessible, high-quality education for all. He encourages fellow educators to embrace OER as a powerful tool for positive change in higher education and to join in the collective effort to create a more equitable and inclusive learning landscape.