Creative teaching and learning

The adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) has shown promising results in reducing the financial burden on college students and enhancing learning outcomes. However, while research indicates that OER can benefit students overall, there's a lack of clarity on whether these benefits extend equally to all student demographics, particularly those traditionally underserved. Studies often use statistical methods like propensity score matching to compare outcomes between OER and traditional textbook users, but this approach may obscure disparities based on age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Consequently, there's a need for more research that disaggregates data by student demographics to understand the differential impact of OER adoption. Disaggregated performance data could shed light on whether OER effectively support historically marginalized students, such as women, students of color, and low-income individuals. Such data could inform policy decisions and initiatives aimed at promoting equitable access to education. Additionally, further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of different course materials, including OER, in enhancing student learning outcomes. Ultimately, a commitment to measuring and analyzing disaggregated performance data is crucial to ensure that OER initiatives contribute to equitable learning opportunities for all students, especially those facing socio-economic challenges.