The UVA Library supports the creation and use of Open Educational Resources (OER), which are freely available for sharing, adapting, and reuse.
Open Educational Resources (OER) can encompass a variety of materials, including textbooks, syllabi, course modules, videos, assessment tools, and more.
Our initiative also supports open pedagogy, the practice of leveraging OER to foster learning experiences that reach every student and invite them to become active creators of knowledge, leading to improved engagement and academic success.
Why does this matter?
Affordability
The Library works to support OER to increase student access, improve academic performance, and create an education at UVA that is within reach for every student.
In 2025, a survey was conducted by VIVA, Virginia's academic library consortium, asking students about impacts of the costs of course material on their experiences. UVA was among the institutions represented by student responses in the survey. Some key takeaways include:
- Cost of course materials cause students worry
50% of students at UVA expressed some level of worry about meeting course materials costs.
"The cost of materials and classes has caused me to worry that I may not complete my degree."
- Students’ academic careers are affected by the cost of course materials
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- Students indicated that course costs might lead them to take fewer courses, not register for a course, or perform poorly once enrolled. Some students report this happens frequently.
- Many respondents (39%) reported that the cost of course materials was a factor in choosing their institution or reported that these costs affected their choice of field of study (18%).
"I couldn't afford my first major, so I ended up changing it."
- Student challenges compound each other and amplify negative effects
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- For example, students who have an ADA disability, are first generation, or low income are more likely to be “extremely worried” about costs.
- Cost of academic materials can exacerbate mental health challenges, limit access to basic necessities like food and housing, and feed distrust of educational systems.
"Last semester I had to buy 4 textbooks, the cost ran me about $400...I am a 18 year old who works 50 hours a week as it is and I have to work very hard just to buy required materials for school."
- Variety matters - students use different methods to alleviate cost pressure
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- Nearly all survey respondents reported attempting to reduce the costs of course materials.
- Some students rent materials, buy used, find free online versions, or share with classmates.
Read more about the survey or review the executive summary (PDF).
Additionally, the Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) survey investigates various facets of student life. A recent survey revealed that financial difficulties are a significant concern for UVA students, with nearly 60% of UVA undergraduates expressing concern about paying for their undergraduate education.
Pedagogy
Open pedagogy is an educational approach that emphasizes sharing, collaboration, and the use of open educational resources in teaching and learning. It involves engaging students as creators of knowledge rather than just consumers by encouraging them to contribute to or adapt existing OER.
Educational research reveals that open pedagogy fosters participatory learning environments where knowledge and educational materials are freely available and modifiable by anyone. In turn, student work has greater impact and legacy, and every learner has a genuine opportunity to contribute and succeed.
Belonging and Respect
Open Education enhances inclusivity in higher education by accommodating different cultural backgrounds and financial capabilities. It has the potential to reflect students’ lived experiences, fostering a sense of belonging. The flexibility of OER allows for customization to address individual learning needs.
By empowering learners to participate in their education, open education encourages innovation in teaching methods and technologies, contributing to a more active and respectful classroom experience.
Academic Freedom
Using OER and practicing open pedagogy strengthen academic freedom by shifting institutional control from commercial publishers back to faculty. By liberating faculty from the dictates, timelines, and restrictions imposed by textbook publishers, open practices allow instructors to design resources — and classroom experiences — that meet their pedagogical goals and are free of intrusive data harvesting. Faculty have the flexibility to create or adapt open content, allowing a close tailoring of content to the needs of specific classes or student cohorts. This autonomy means that decisions about course content are driven by educational value as determined by the faculty, not commercial publishers.
How we can help
Consultations
Contact lib-oer@virginia.edu for advice about finding, using, and creating open educational resources, open pedagogy, intellectual property, best practices, and more.
Learning opportunities
Workshops and information sessions are held on an ongoing basis, check Library events to see any upcoming sessions. If you’re at UVA, Join our community of practice!
Publish with Pressbooks
The Library offers access to online software that enables authors and publishers to design and format any kind of book, for web or print. Learn more about Pressbooks.
