AVC Logo
Campus walkway with banners

Background

Textbook prices are often a barrier for student success, and though Antelope Valley College provides free textbook lending through the BooksHelp program, more needs to be done. The average cost of a college textbook is between $80-150, and many students are faced with buying textbooks or buying basic needs, such as food or paying rent. Additionally, research suggests that providing all students with access to course materials on the first day of class supports equity, student retention, and student success.


ZTC Campus Program

ZTC Program: AVC is offering faculty a monetary incentive to convert their courses to Zero Textbook Costs to further provide an equitable education to our students.


Compensation based on fully completing the process listed below:

  • Option 1: Fully develop and convert courses to ZTC: $1,200 per course
  • Option 2: Faculty already using ZTC may be a Discipline Coach: $500 per faculty supported


Requirements:

  • Textbook requisitions with ZTC must be submitted by due date
    • Inform department chair and division office that course(s) will be ZTC during scheduling so it can be noted on the live schedule for Fall 2023
       
  • ZTC Program form is to be submitted by March 1, 2023. You will need to list any discipline coaches you work with on the form. No late forms will be accepted for compensation.
     
  • Courses must be fully completed by June 30, 2023
    • Confirmation email to be submitted to ZTC@avc.edu when course content is completed and aligned using ZTC materials. Courses must have the ZTC icon on the live schedule for Fall 2023.
       
  • Discipline Coaches: faculty who support, guide, mentor, and assist discipline faculty to convert one's course(s) and curate ZTC materials appropriate to individual’s subject matter and teaching style.
    • Discipline Coaches will need to submit the ZTC Program Form by March 1, 2023, listing the faculty they helped.


Outcomes:

  • Increase number of courses to Zero Textbook Costs
  • Research similar courses that have been converted to ZTC at our college and others
  • Convert applicable courses to ZTC to support student equity
  • Collaborate with other faculty in discipline to create a ZTC community
  • Promote program and encourage other faculty to convert more courses to ZTC


Workshops Available:

The following workshops will be offered to help faculty research and convert their Fall 2023 courses to ZTC. Workshops will be held in MH 310 or via Zoom.

  • Feb. 10 at 10:00 a.m. (Roberto Diaz)
  • Mar. 3 at 10:00 a.m. (Zoom)
  • Mar. 14 at 12:30 p.m. (Zoom)
  • Apr. 17 at 1:00 p.m. (Zoom)


Timeline:

  • March 1, 2023 - ZTC Program form due
  • June 30, 2023 - Course content aligned with ZTC materials
  • Fall 2023 Semester -  All ZTC courses must be ready and implemented for Fall 2023. The Live Schedule for Fall 2023, faculty’s course(s) must include the ZTC icon.


KEEP IN MIND

  • Prison Courses: Students do not have access to the Internet. Materials need to be printed and soft bound, so OER materials may be used if the rights are given.
     
  • Dual Enrollment: If you teach a dual enrollment course, ZTC is a terrific option as high school students must be provided all educational materials without cost to them. Currently, if a textbook is used, either the high school, the college, or some special funding source is providing those textbooks. This is an unsustainable model when budgets get tight (as they always do in education).

Resources Available

Resources are available to help faculty find OER materials for their subjects. Sarah Burns, sburns10@avc.edu, will be available for appointments to share information at division meetings. See below for a sampling of resources.

OpenStax: This platform provides a variety of textbooks covering such subjects as Micro and Macro Economics, Government, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, U.S. History and other Social Sciences, Business Law, Statistics, Accounting, Finance and Entrepreneurialism.


Cool 4Ed: This platform provides extended, open access to numerous academic journal articles, including the Arts, Business, Education, Humanities, Mathematics, Statistics, Science, Technology, and the Social Sciences.


Merlot II: This site provides a wide variety of research materials, as well as course ePortfolios, for instructors who would like to see model courses.


LibreTexts: This platform allows collaboration and customization of OER materials


The Open University: This is an actual Open University resource, sponsored by the UK (United Kingdom). They provide teaching Modules in the areas of Economics, Social Sciences, Law Science & Health, Tort and Contract Law, the Psychology of Childhood, World History and more.


Lumen Learning: This is an excellent resource for Advanced Math.


By subject area:


OER Textbook Resources


CCC Online Resources:


Equity in ZTC Guide: