Assessing the OER & Textbook Experience at UTSA

Total Responses

3,821 UTSA students responded to the survey.

Classification

The largest group of respondents is Seniors (26%), followed closely by Juniors (25%), while Graduate Students (11%) make up the smallest portion of the population.

Access to Technology

Computer Access

A vast majority of respondents (97%) report having access to a reliable laptop or computer, with only a small fraction (3%) indicating they do not.

Internet Access

The overwhelming majority of respondents (97%) report having reliable internet access at their residence.

OER Awareness

A large majority of respondents (85%) were unfamiliar with the term Open Educational Resources prior to the survey, indicating a significant awareness gap.

Ease of Finding OER Courses

A combined 78% of respondents find it somewhat or very easy to locate free or low-cost textbook courses at UTSA, while only 9% report difficulty.

Prior Awareness: Finding OER Courses

An overwhelming majority of students (94%) were unaware of how to find UTSA courses with free or low-cost textbooks prior to the survey, highlighting a major opportunity for awareness and outreach.

OER and Textbook Experiences

Finding Textbooks

The most common source for textbook information is UTSA Bluebook/Simple Syllabus (30%), followed closely by students who wait until the first day of class (27%).

Defining Low Cost

Most students define “low cost” as being between $1 and $50, with the largest group selecting $26–50.

OER Awareness

A large majority of respondents (85%) were unfamiliar with the term Open Educational Resources prior to the survey, indicating a significant awareness gap.

Ease of Finding OER Courses and Low-Cost Textbook Courses 

A combined 78% of respondents find it somewhat or very easy to locate free or low-cost textbook courses at UTSA, while only 9% report difficulty.

Prior Awareness: Finding OER Courses and Low-Cost Textbook Courses 

An overwhelming majority of students (94%) were unaware of how to find UTSA courses with free or low-cost textbooks prior to the survey, highlighting a major opportunity for awareness and outreach.

OER and Low-Cost Textbook Courses: Visibility

The top two suggestions, each with 25% of responses, are to improve visual cues in ASAP and to add a separate textbook filter, indicating strong student interest in clearer, more accessible course information.

OER and Low-Cost Textbook Courses: Promotion

A strong majority of students (60%) recommend promoting OER and low-cost textbook courses widely across the university, rather than limiting efforts to specific departments.