Content area
Full text
Abstract
This study describes the development of open educational resources (OER) course materials for three computer-aided design (CAD) courses and the evaluation of student and faculty perceptions afer their first implementation. We used mixed-method research techniques which involved analysis of quantitative data, utilization of COUP (cost, outcomes, usage, and perception) framework and analysis of qualitative comments using thematic coding. Results suggest students findfaculty developed OER materials are more useful and preferable to a traditional textbook without compromising student academic performance. Most students agreed or strongly agreed that the materials provided fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all students. Assessment of faculty data showed that faculty have positive views of OER, their accessibility, customization, and equity measures, and reported increased student engagement when using OER. Faculty also indicated challenges with OER such as time and efort required to create OER contents and the need for periodic update of dynamic courses like CAD as technology and industry needs change. Several recommendations are provided in support of OER for academic effectiveness and student success.
1. Introduction
Design is an integral part of engineering innovation. To prepare students, all Engineering/Engineering Technology (E/ET) curricula focus on engineering design and design thinking so that students can actively design, model, simulate, and analyze solutions of engineering problems. Computer-aided design (CAD) is a popular and often required course in E/ET curricula that introduces students to engineering design. A typical CAD course utilizes CAD software (e.g., Aut°CAD products) and trains students in 2D drawings and 3D models with precise measurements. There is an abundance of course materials to train students in CAD. However, most of the CAD textbooks and instruction materials are expensive. A recent report shows that over the last decade the price of college textbooks has soared. Since 2006, the cost of a college textbook increased by 73%-four times the rate of inflation (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016). Today, individual textbooks often cost over $200, sometimes as high as $400.
A report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group has shown that 66% of students tend to skip buying or renting college course materials altogether, with 63% skipping textbook purchasing specifically because of the high cost of textbooks (Vitez and Nagle 2021). Faculty also recognize that student costs are a...