Keywords

OpenCourseWare, sustainability, open educational resources, development, cost

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to (a) determine the cost of converting BYU Independent Study’s e-learning courses into OpenCourseWare, (b) assess the impact of opening those courses on paid enrollment in the credit-bearing versions of the courses, and (c) use these data to judge whether or not an OpenCourseWare program could be financially self-sustaining over the long-term without grant monies or other subsidies. The findings strongly suggest that the BYU Independent Study model of publishing OpenCourseWare is financially self-sustaining, allowing the institution to provide a significant public good while generating new revenue and meeting its ongoing financial obligations.

Original Publication Citation

J. Johansen and D. Wiley, "A Sustainable Model for OpenCourseWare Development", Educational Technology Research and Development, May 21.