OER can play a role in student retention and success

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series examining the aspects of recruitment, enrollment, and retention on U.S. campuses. Check back each Monday for a different look at some of the challenges–and successes–found in higher education today.

Key points:

Integrating OER and DEI goals requires moving beyond a focus on expanded access and affordability

There must be an emphasis on equitable outcomes and retaining underserved students

Adopting open educational resources, or OER, can be an effective strategy for meeting campus equity goals and improving retention by reducing failure and withdrawal rates, according to a new report from the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U).

Leveraging Open Educational Resources to Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Guide for Campus Change Agents provides practical, evidence-based strategies for aligning OER and DEI in ways that advance the objectives of both initiatives.

In addition to saving students (and institutions) money, making free educational materials available for faculty and students to use, customize, and share can level the academic playing field and narrow performance gaps.

Yet, despite the similar outcomes sought by both, intentional connections are seldom made between OER initiatives and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

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Laura Ascione

Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland's prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism.