Austin Community College students are saving millions of dollars in textbooks costs through new course and degree options known as Z-degrees and zero textbook cost (ZTC) classes.<\/p>\n
The courses use zero-cost learning materials called open educational resources (OER). OER provide students openly licensed, high-quality course materials in place of proprietary textbooks. The materials are available online for free on the first day of class.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn average, textbooks cost about $100 each. This can be a heavy burden for many students,\u201d says Dr. Gaye Lynn Scott, ACC associate vice president of academic programs. \u201cZ-classes help relieve some of that pressure by offering all course materials at no cost.\u201d<\/p>\n
This fall, the college launched two Z-degree programs: the Associate of Science in General Studies and the Associate of Arts in General Studies. Each program provides a zero textbook cost pathway through to completion saving students on average about $2,000 in textbook costs.<\/p>\n
“Anytime I can save money, it helps. It can be hard to pay for classes and all the books and materials that we need to go with it,\u201d says Alfredo Hernandez, ACC Z-class student. \u201cThese online books make a big difference. And they also help me keep up. Since everything we need is online, I can pull up my textbook on my phone whenever I need.”<\/p>\n
Since its launch in spring 2017, more than 21,000 students have enrolled in Z-degrees programs and courses resulting in a savings of more than $2.1 million in textbook costs.<\/p>\n Enrollment for spring 2019 is underway with 400 z-class offerings available. Students may search for zero textbook cost sections by course and campus using the “sort” option in Student Planning.<\/p>\n Z-degree and z-classes are one of several initiatives at ACC designed to save students money on textbook materials. Textbook cost savings across all programs totaled nearly $3 million as of fall 2018.<\/p>\n For more information about Z-degree programs and courses, visit austincc.edu\/zdegree<\/a>. To register for spring, visit austincc.edu\/spring<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Austin Community College students are saving millions of dollars in textbooks costs through new course and degree options known as Z-degrees and zero textbook cost (ZTC) classes. The courses use zero-cost learning materials called open … Continue reading \n\n
\n Semester<\/strong><\/td>\n Students Enrolled<\/strong><\/td>\n Total Savings<\/strong><\/td>\n Number of Course Sections<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Spring 2017<\/td>\n 707<\/td>\n $70,700<\/td>\n 29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fall 2017<\/td>\n 3,142<\/td>\n $314,200<\/td>\n 112<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Spring 2018<\/td>\n 4,709<\/td>\n $470,900<\/td>\n 192<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Summer 2018<\/td>\n 3,049<\/td>\n $304,900<\/td>\n 118<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fall 2018<\/td>\n 9,600<\/td>\n $960,000<\/td>\n 410<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n TOTAL<\/td>\n 21,207<\/td>\n $2,120,700<\/td>\n 861<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n