Gains and Gaps in OER: Using Rubrics to Assess the Impact of OER on Writing and Information Literacy Skills in the Literature Classroom

Open educational resources (OER) reduce the textbook cost burden for students, but we must examine whether students using OER are learning the necessary skills to succeed in their academic work. This study used rubrics to examine student essays and evaluate whether students using OER and those using commercial textbooks varied in how they developed the analysis and research skills necessary for studying and writing about literature. Results showed that in nearly all categories of the writing rubric, students in OER-only classes scored significantly higher than students in classes using commercial textbooks, while those in classes using a commercial textbook tended to demonstrate stronger information literacy skills. This study identifies trends to address in revision of OER and pedagogy practices in addition to giving insight into student performance.