Beyond OER: Finding Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Resources

What if you could eliminate textbook costs for your students without sacrificing quality or limiting your teaching options? In this practical session, Stephanie Coffman, Biology Instructor and OER Lead at Clovis Community College, explores how faculty can find and use free and openly licensed educational materials to make their courses more affordable and accessible. Learn the difference between Open Educational Resources (OER) and Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC), discover where to find free textbooks and other instructional materials, and explore alternatives to costly publisher homework platforms. Stephanie also shares student survey data highlighting the impact of textbook costs, introduces resources such as Open Textbook Library, LibreTexts, and OER Commons, and offers practical guidance for adopting ZTC materials in your courses. Whether you're new to OER or looking to expand your options, this session offers useful tools and ideas to help reduce financial barriers for students while creating engaging, flexible learning experiences.