Speaker
Jia Lu
(Valdosta State University)
Description
Racial and ethnic disparities in college education persist, partly due to unequal access to costly textbooks. Open Educational Resources (OER) offer a low-cost alternative that may help bridge this gap, yet little is known about how students from different racial and ethnic backgrounds perceive OER, particularly in geography courses. This study investigates these perceptions among students enrolled in college-level geographic courses, where about half the student body identifies as minorities. Using survey data and focus groups, the research explores differences in perception, contributing factors, and best practices for improving equity in OER adoption. Findings aim to inform inclusive strategies for implementing OER in higher education.
Author
Jia Lu
(Valdosta State University)
