Unlocking Student Success with Open Educational Resources (OER)
A Research-Informed Perspective on Access, Affordability, and Implementation
As the cost of higher education continues to rise, institutions are increasingly evaluating Open Educational Resources (OER) as a strategy to reduce financial barriers while maintaining academic quality. OER are openly licensed learning materials that can be freely used, adapted, and distributed, offering institutions greater flexibility in how course content is delivered. Recent peer-reviewed research provides valuable insight into both the benefits and the challenges associated with OER adoption in higher education.
Understanding this research helps inform how institutions, libraries, faculty, and bookstore partners can collaborate to support sustainable and effective OER implementation.
What the Research Says About OER
Documented Benefits of OER Adoption
A comprehensive peer-reviewed review published in Discover Education analyzed a large body of existing research on OER use across colleges and universities. The review found that OER adoption is consistently associated with reduced course material costs for students, which can help lower financial barriers to enrollment and participation. The authors also noted evidence suggesting that OER can support instructional innovation by enabling faculty to adapt and customize content to meet specific course objectives (Swain & Pathak, 2024).
In addition to cost savings, the review identified potential institutional benefits, including increased student access to learning materials and greater flexibility in course design. These findings reinforce the role of OER as a viable component of broader affordability strategies in higher education.
Ongoing Challenges and Gaps in Practice
While the benefits of OER are well documented, the literature also highlights several persistent challenges. Swain and Pathak (2024) identified limited institutional support, uneven faculty awareness, and insufficient infrastructure as common barriers to sustained OER adoption. Without coordinated support, OER initiatives may struggle to scale beyond isolated courses or departments.
Similarly, a 2025 narrative literature review published in the International Review of Education examined how OER are evaluated within higher education. The authors found that many existing evaluation frameworks focus narrowly on cost savings and usage metrics, often overlooking broader considerations such as educational inclusion, accessibility, and digital literacy development (Ayuso-del-Puerto, Gutiérrez-Esteban, & Albuquerque-Costa, 2025). These gaps can make it more difficult for institutions to assess the full impact of OER initiatives and to address barriers faced by diverse student populations.
Implications for Institutional Strategy
Taken together, the research suggests that while OER can play a meaningful role in improving affordability and access, successful implementation requires coordinated institutional planning. Effective OER programs often depend on collaboration among academic leadership, faculty, libraries, instructional designers, and campus technology teams. Addressing challenges related to awareness, evaluation, and delivery is essential for long-term sustainability.
Applying Research-Informed Practices at Textbook Brokers
At Textbook Brokers, we view OER as one component of a broader course materials strategy rather than a standalone solution. Drawing on research-backed insights, we work with campus partners to support OER adoption in ways that balance affordability, access, and instructional needs.
Supporting Faculty Engagement and Awareness
We collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to increase awareness of available OER options that align with course objectives and quality expectations. This includes guidance on reviewing, evaluating, and integrating open resources into course design.
Enabling Customization and Flexible Access
Because OER materials can be adapted, we support course material models that combine open, digital, and print resources. This approach allows instructors to tailor content while providing students with multiple access formats that accommodate different learning preferences.
Partnering Across Campus Units
Recognizing that effective OER initiatives require institutional coordination, we work alongside academic libraries and IT teams to help ensure students have clear, reliable access to digital content. These partnerships help reduce logistical barriers and support consistent delivery across courses and programs.
Looking Ahead
The growing interest in OER reflects a broader commitment across higher education to improving affordability and access to learning materials. Peer-reviewed research continues to demonstrate that OER can reduce costs and support instructional flexibility, while also highlighting the importance of addressing implementation challenges related to awareness, evaluation, and institutional support.
As institutions explore OER adoption or consider ways to support broader access to affordable course materials, including how these efforts intersect with Equitable Access models, implementation and coordination remain critical. Through collaboration, infrastructure, and practical implementation support, Textbook Brokers works with campuses to help expand access and improve the student experience.
Sources
Ayuso-del-Puerto, D., Gutiérrez-Esteban, P., & Albuquerque-Costa, F. (2025). Evaluation of open educational resources: A narrative literature review. International Review of Education, 71(1), 159–182.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11159-024-10099-1
Swain, B. K., & Pathak, R. K. (2024). Benefits and challenges of using OER in higher education: A pragmatic review. Discover Education, 3, Article 81.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44217-024-00142-6
