OER Student Advocacy: Textbook Tales

ISU Textbook Tales

In 2021, ISU students shared stories of how textbook costs impacted their lives. In the videos below, you'll learn that the high cost of textbooks has a serious impact on students' lives, budgets, relationships and the overall quality of their education. 

A screenshot from a Textbook Tales video: ISU Student Nyele shares her story.

 

What's the Most Expensive Textbook You've Bought?

In this video, students share the most expensive textbook they've purchased at ISU. Many of these books come with access codes that cannot be resold, meaning the cost of the textbook is not recoverable.

 

Have You Ever Delayed or Avoided Buying a Textbook Due To The Cost?

Students often delay buying textbooks until they know for sure that the textbook is necessary to do well in the class. Others must wait until their student loans come in until they can order their books, causing them to fall behind in class. Hear from students who have experienced buying a book that costs hundreds of dollars only to use a few chapters.

 

Have Textbook Costs Impacted Your Personal Life?

Expensive textbooks can eat into a student's budget, causing them to make difficult choices and adding stress to their lives. Hear how textbook costs impact the quality of life for ISU students, and add stress to their home lives. 

 

Have Textbook Costs Ever Impacted the Quality of Your Education?

When students cannot afford textbooks, they can fall behind, lose points, or even have to drop, fail, or withdraw from a course. Hear from ISU students who are prevented from doing their best work because they're tripped up by textbook costs. 

 

What Strategies Do You Use to Pay for Textbooks?

Some students get creative when faced with high textbook costs! Hear about strategies that students employ to compensate and get access to the materials they need to succeed in their courses.

 

What Do You Want to Tell Your Professors About Textbook Costs?

Some ISU professors go above and beyond to keep course materials affordable for their students. However, the high cost of textbooks for Gen Ed courses can cause students to struggle early in their academic careers. Hear ISU students speak out about what they wish their professors knew about textbook costs.

 

Have You Ever Told a Professor You Could Not Afford the Textbook?

How have ISU professors responded when hearing from students struggling with textbook costs? Hear ISU students share the positive and negative responses they've received.

 

Have You Ever had a Professor Assign a Free Open Textbook?

Some professors choose open educational resources like free online textbooks to help keep course materials affordable. Hear about one student's positive experience with an open textbook.

We Want To Hear Your Story

These are some quotes from real ISU students struggling to afford their textbooks: