Learn more, spend less
Textbooks shouldn’t break your bank. Open Learning WV helps students access no-cost or low-cost course materials so you can focus on learning and not your wallet.
Since 2021, West Virginia students have already saved nearly $10 million by taking courses that use these materials and every public college and university in the state now offers courses with no cost or low-cost options.
Open Learning Resources
How to Find Opportunities
Textbooks shouldn’t break your bank. Open Learning WV helps students access no-cost or low-cost course materials so you can focus on learning and not your wallet.
Since 2021, West Virginia students have already saved nearly $10 million by taking courses that use these materials and every public college and university in the state now offers courses with no cost or low-cost options.
Ask Your Instructor or Advisor
Not every college uses a special label for no cost/low-cost courses, so the best way to find them is to ask directly when you register or meet with your advisor.
Check Your Syllabus or Course Page
Some faculty list no cost or open materials in the syllabus or course management system.
Explore Your Library or Learning Center
Campus librarians can often point you to courses and faculty using open materials.
Be a part of the movement
Choosing courses that use no cost or low-cost materials isn’t just smart for your budget, it supports a statewide effort to make higher education more affordable and more accessible for every West Virginia learner.
Open Education Resource Repositories
These sites offer high-quality learning resources at no or low cost including textbooks, videos, and teaching materials. Students and faculty can learn, share, and save while keeping education affordable and accessible.
| Resource | What it Offers | Link |
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WVLC OER Guides |
Curated OER guides from the WV Library Commission, with links to open textbooks and teaching resources created or used in WV. |
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WVU OER Research Guide |
West Virginia University’s library guide to OER, including recommended textbooks and support for faculty adoption. |
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WV Wesleyan College OER Page |
Lists open textbooks and course materials curated by WV Wesleyan librarians. |
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OpenStax |
Peer-reviewed, high-quality digital textbooks across many subjects — free to download and adaptable. |
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OER Commons |
Large public digital library of openly licensed teaching and learning materials across K-12 and higher education. |
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LibreTexts |
Extensive collection of open textbooks and interactive resources in STEM, social sciences, and humanities. |
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Open Textbook Library |
Thousands of free, peer-reviewed textbooks for college courses across disciplines. |
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SkillsCommons |
U.S. Department of Labor’s open library of workforce development and career/technical education materials. |
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MERLOT |
Curated collection of peer-reviewed online learning materials and tools for faculty and students. |
Open Learning WV FAQs: Faculty & Students
Faculty FAQs
OER are high-quality teaching and learning materials including textbooks, videos, and assignments that are free to use, share, and adapt because they carry an open license.
Yes. Most OER are peer-reviewed and many are created by subject-matter experts at colleges and universities.
Start with your library’s OER guides (e.g., WVLC, WVU, WVWC) or search national repositories like OpenStax, LibreTexts, MERLOT, and the Open Textbook Library.
Absolutely. Open licenses allow remixing and revising so you can align content with learning outcomes and your teaching style.
There is an initial time investment to locate and review materials, but once adopted, OER are easy to update and reuse—saving time in future semesters.
Yes. Many faculty blend OER with traditional resources to provide the best fit for the course and students.
Yes. Faculty can also adopt free materials that are not openly licensed — such as library-licensed eBooks, public domain works, or institutionally provided resources — as long as they are legally accessible to students at no cost.
Student FAQs
Required readings and resources are free or available for a clearly stated minimal cost — typically less than $75.
OER stands for Open Educational Resources: free, openly licensed materials such as textbooks or videos that you can read, download, or print at no extra cost.
Ask your instructor, advisor, or campus librarian. Some schools list these courses in the schedule; others identify them on the syllabus or course site.
West Virginia students have already saved nearly $10 million since 2021, with all public colleges and universities offering courses that use no-cost or low-cost materials.
Yes. You can download and keep them forever and print if you prefer a physical copy.
About Open Learning WV
Open Learning WV is a statewide initiative dedicated to making higher education in West Virginia more affordable, accessible, and engaging. By supporting the creation and use of no-cost and low-cost course materials including high-quality Open Educational Resources (OER), we help students save money while giving faculty the freedom to customize content for their classrooms. Since 2021, West Virginia students have saved nearly $10 million, and every public college and university in the state now offers courses that use these resources. Open Learning WV brings together students, faculty, and institutions to ensure that learning remains high-quality, flexible, and within reach for all.
What is OER?
Courses that use no cost or low-cost materials provide required readings and resources for a minimal, clearly stated cost — typically less than $75. Faculty often select resources known as Open Educational Resources, or OER.
OER stands for Open Educational Resources: high-quality learning materials such as textbooks, videos, and assignments that are freely available and openly licensed. That means you can read, download, or even print them without extra cost, and faculty can adapt them to fit the course. Quality OER are peer-reviewed and academically sound, offering the same quality you expect from traditional textbooks.
Why OER Matters
- Save Money: Students in courses that use OER or other low-cost options typically save hundreds of dollars each semester.
- Access on Day One: Materials are available online or in downloadable formats the moment the class begins so there’s no waiting for a shipment or worrying about backorders.
- Learn Your Way: Because OER can be adapted, faculty can tailor materials to your course and your learning style.
- Stay Prepared: With immediate, free access, every student can start strong and stay engaged.