Assessing the OER & Textbook Experience at UTSA

Textbook decisions at UTSA are largely decentralized, with individual instructors holding the most influence, especially in upper-level and graduate courses. However, there is also a significant level of uncertainty regarding textbook decision-making processes.

• Individual Instructors are the primary decision-makers across all curriculum types:

  • Most prominent for Upper Division Non-Core (42) and Master’s (39) courses.
  • Also significant for Lower Division Non-Core (32) and UTSA Core Curriculum (23).

• Course Coordinators play a role mainly in:

  • Lower Division Non-Core (15)
  • UTSA Core Curriculum (8)

• Textbook Committees are rarely involved, with only 8 responses for UTSA Core Curriculum.

• Department Chairs show no significant involvement in textbook decisions.

• A notable number of respondents do not know who makes textbook decisions, especially for:

  • Doctoral (22)
  • UTSA Core (13), Lower Division Non-Core (14), Master’s (12)

• Many selected “Not in my department”, particularly for:

  • Master’s (21) and Upper Division Non-Core (10)

Detail

UTSA Core Curriculum

• 23 responded Individual Instructor

• 15 responded Course Coordinator
• 13 responded they Do Not Know
• 8 responded Textbook Committee
• 5 responded Not Taught in My Department

Lower Division Non Core Curriculum

• 32 responded Individual Instructor

• 14 responded Do Not Know
• 8 responded Course Coordinator
• 7 responded Not Taught in my Department
• 3 responded Textbook Committee

Upper Division Non Core Curriculum

• 42 responded Individual Instructor

• 11 responded Do Not Know
• 6 responded Not Taught in my Department
• 5 responded Course Coordinator

Master's

• 39 responded Individual Instructor

• 12 responded Do Not Know
• 10 responded Not Taught in my Department
• 3 responded Course Coordinator

Doctoral

• 22 responded Individual Instructor

• 22 responded Do Not Know
• 21 responded Not Taught in my Department