The VIU Students’ Union (VIUSU), the Office of the Registrar, the Library, the CIEL and institutional stakeholders are partnering on a collaborative effort known as the Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) project.
The goal is to support access and affordability for students while maintaining academic quality by supporting faculty to engage with no-cost alternatives to commercial textbooks. There are substantial financial benefits to reducing or eliminating these costs, and there are also profound pedagogical and innovative teaching practices supported by these alternatives as well.
While many VIU instructors are already using free and open learning materials in their courses, whether through Open Educational Resources (OER), library-licensed content, instructor-created materials, or other no-cost alternatives to commercial textbooks, others may be interested in learning more about these approaches or may face barriers that make adoption challenging.
Currently, the project is working to:
- identify existing ZTC courses,
- learn about faculty awareness and experiences with Open Educational Resources (OER) and
- address challenges and leverage opportunities related to the use of affordable and open learning materials.
Survey: Share Your Perspective
Whether you currently teach using OER, rely on commercial textbooks, combine multiple types of resources, or are simply curious about open education, please share your perspective in this survey.
The survey will help VIUSU and VIU better understand:
- Awareness of ZTC and OER at VIU
- Current use of course materials and learning resources
- Factors that influence course material decisions
- Benefits and challenges associated with adopting ZTC approaches
- Supports and resources faculty would find valuable
- Opportunities to grow ZTC initiatives at VIU
Your feedback will help inform future planning, support services, and funding opportunities related to open education and affordable learning.
Already Teaching a Zero Textbook Cost Course?
If your students can complete your course without purchasing required textbooks or course materials, please help VIU make that information visible during registration.
- When submitting course information to Registration, include “ZTC” in the Open Comments field.
- If your course information has already been submitted, simply email records@viu.ca with your course name, number, and section and request that the ZTC indicator be added.
The ZTC designation helps students identify courses with no required textbook costs and supports informed course selection.
Resources and Support
Interested in learning more about open education or Zero Textbook Cost courses?
Definition of “ZTC”:
An attribute that may apply to an individual course section or to an entire credentialled program in which students do not have to pay for required course materials. This can be achieved through using open educational resources, library-licensed materials, free instructor-created materials, and other learning materials with no cost to students. This term excludes supplemental items, such as lab coats and kits, goggles, calculators, art supplies, etc.
“ZTC” indicates that materials are available for free in at least one format, such as digital. The material may be available in other formats, such as print, for an optional cost.
Library Support
The VIU Library can assist with locating, evaluating, and adapting open educational resources, as well as copyright and licensing questions.
Contact: Caroline Korbel, Open Education and Copyright Librarian
CIEL
The CIEL team are available to help support faculty in integrating Open Educational Resources into your course design or redesign.
Contact: learnsupport@viu.ca
BCcampus
BCcampus offers a wide range of resources, professional learning opportunities, open textbooks, and tools to support instructors exploring open education. BCcampus has been a provincial leader in advancing OER and affordable learning across British Columbia. If you’re looking for an Open Textbook, you can consult their extensive B.C Open Collection.
VIU Students’ Union (VIUSU)
VIUSU is partnering with the Office of the Registrar, the Library, Faculty, and institutional stakeholders to better understand and support ZTC opportunities at VIU. Reducing educational costs can help improve access and affordability for students while maintaining academic quality.
Survey contact: Janelle Wilson, Organizer, VIU Students’ Union, janelle.wilson@viusu.ca