Alternative Textbook Program

The Alternative Textbook Program is an initiative for faculty interested in replacing traditional textbooks with open textbooks, library subscription materials, or other free materials. Faculty who participate in the program receive a stipend to support the transition to free course materials.

Faculty may select one of three options for this year’s program.

Option 1: Adoption, $750

In this option, faculty switch from a commercial textbook to course materials that are free for students. These materials may include open textbooks, library subscription materials, open educational resources, and other free materials.
Example projects may include:

• Switching to an available open textbook
• Identifying and using multiple resources in place of a commercial textbook like
  articles from the library’s collections, open educational resources, or government resources

Option 2: Adaptation, $1,500

This option encourages faculty to adapt course materials that are free for students. These materials may include open textbooks, open educational resources, or other open access materials with appropriate licenses.

Example projects may include:

• Adapting an open textbook to include more local information on eastern North Carolina. This could be data, images, case studies, and more.
• Adapting course materials to include more voices and perspectives.
• Creating ancillary materials (test banks, practice questions, lesson plans, etc.) to compliment free course materials that you are already using
• Combining multiple open materials into a new textbook or adding to existing open resources

Option 3: Creation, $5,000

This option supports faculty to develop entirely new and original open educational resources. Faculty teams are welcome to submit applications. The timeline for this option can extend beyond the 2024-2025 academic year, but monies for the project will only be available during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Faculty will have access to software like Pressbooks to publish their text. Faculty interested in this option are required to submit an outline of their proposed project at the time of their application.

Example projects may include:

• Creating an original open textbook or equivalent open and online materials that is comprehensive enough to be used for the length of the class.

Eligibility

All faculty members teaching during the 2024-2025 academic year are eligible to apply. Courses can be undergraduate or graduate classes. Additionally, they can be in person or online courses.

Selection Criteria
The award committee will evaluate proposals using the following criteria:

• A completed application which includes a short narrative describing your project goals, student outcomes, and interest in using alternative texts.
• Potential student impact. This may include estimated cost-savings for students or potential for increased student learning as a result of materials.

Program Details

All faculty members teaching during the 2024-2025 academic year are eligible to apply. Courses can be undergraduate or graduate classes. Additionally, they can be in person or online courses.

New or adapted materials that are written due to this program must be deposited in an appropriate repository, like ECU’s institutional repository or OER Commons, and must include a Creative Commons license.

Faculty must provide an updated syllabus by the end of the program and are asked to complete a short assessment at the end of the program.

Funds will be transferred directly to departments via a Banner Budget Transfer. Monies may be used for supplies, student wages, professional development, copyediting, or other materials. Funds will be transferred after July 1, 2024 and must be used by June 30, 2025.

The Award Committee will evaluate proposals using the following criteria:

· A completed application which includes a short narrative describing your project goals, student outcomes, and interest in using alternative texts.

· Potential student impact. This may include estimated cost-savings for students or potential for increased student learning as a result of materials.

Deadline

Proposals are due by March 15, 2024.

For more information about the program, please contact the Scholarly Communication Department at scholarlycomm@ecu.edu.

FAQs

Can multiple faculty submit an application together? Yes! We welcome group applications. However, the award would be for the amount noted in the various options. If adapting course materials, the faculty team would receive a total of $1,500.

Can there be multiple applications for the same course but submitted by different faculty? Yes! We will consider multiple applications for the same course from different faculty. Depending on the project and funds available, we may ask if you would be willing to collaborate together.

Can I check the availability of materials or discuss a possible project with you? Yes! We are happy to check on availability of OER or library materials (if relevant) to give you an idea of what may be available for you to use. We are happy to discuss your project with you and how the program can support you. Please contact us at scholarlycomm@ecu.edu

I already participated in the program; can I apply again? Yes! If you want to continue working on your course, you can apply for option 2 (Adaptation) or option 3 (Creation). Alternatively, you can submit an application for a different course