Date of Degree
2023
Degree Name
Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)
Department
Department of Counseling and Higher Education (CAHE)
Director
Hu,Xiaodan
Committee Members
Jaekel,Kathryn ;Mac,Jacqueline
Keywords
OER, Student Outcomes, HSI, Course Passing, Final Exam Scores
Abstract
ABSTRACT
OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND STUDENT SUCCESS IN A HISPANIC SERVING COMMUNITY COLLEGE: DO ETHNICITY AND FINANCIAL NEEDS MATTER?
Vasumathi V.Raman, Ed.D.
Department of Counseling and Higher Education
Northern Illinois University, 2023
Xiaodan Hu, Director
This research study adopts a correlational design to explore the relationship between open educational resources (OER) adoption and student outcomes, particularly among Hispanic students and those with financial needs. The study utilizes existing institutional data from a large community college designated as a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI). The data includes student demographics, financial aid status, final exam scores, and pass/fail outcomes for courses using OER and non-OER materials. The research employs statistical analysis, such as chi-square tests and t tests, to assess the relationship between OER adoption and student outcomes.
The findings show that, while students in OER courses performed slightly better on average, the differences between OER and non-OER courses were not statistically significant for the overall student population. The study shows similar results for Hispanic students and students with financial needs, with no statistically difference in academic outcomes for students in OER courses compared to their counterparts in non-OER courses. OER’s cost-saving benefits are especially advantageous for these underserved groups, as textbook costs have significantly increased, hindering access to higher education. This research suggests that HSI community colleges can accelerate OER adoption, providing equitable access to educational resources and promoting student success without adversely affecting outcomes for Hispanic students and students with financial needs. The study’s limitations include a single institutional context, limited OER adoption, and the use of financial aid as a proxy for identifying economically challenged students. Future research should consider multiple HSIs and alternative indicators to gain a more comprehensive understanding of OER’s impact on student success.
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses and dissertations are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors, unless otherwise indicated.
Recommended Citation
Raman, Vasumathi V., "Open Educational Resources and Student Success in a Hispanic Serving Community College: Do Ethnicity and Financial Needs Matter?" (2023). Dissertations of Practice. 8.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-disspractice/8
