OER and ZTC and LTC

Because they are used so interchangeably in teaching, here is a bit of an explainer.

OER- Open Educational Resources refers to all the resources faculty use to teach a course. In our case this usually means the textbook but can refer to readings, videos, or any ancillary materials used to teach that are free to use. “Openly licensed” materials that permit the user to retain, reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute.

ZTC- Zero Textbook Cost is no associated costs for students for required textbooks, students may need to be purchased items such as calculators, lab coats, and goggles. ZTC does not presume materials are digital or openly licensed. ZTC resources may have a cost, but that cost is not passed along to students. (per SB1359 refers to= “courses that exclusively use digital course materials that are free of charge to students and may have a low-cost option for print versions")

LTC- Low Textbook Cost and refers to a required textbook from a class sections that use texts and/or materials that cost a total of $40 or less combined.