1. Going #NoLo
Developing a Course Labeling Strategy to Promote the Use of OER Course Materials
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Michael J. Bies, Director of Academic Media Tech.
Ryan Pierson, Assistant to the Academic Dean
Eileen Rhodes, Director of Library Services
Capital Community College, Hartford, CT

2. Benefits of Course Labeling
Promotes transparency
Gives students easier access to courses
Students may take slightly more credits per semester

3. Going #NoLo
“Z degree” courses at Housatonic Community College – labeling is required as part of Achieving the Dream OER Grant
Local OER Task Force decided to label courses at Capital
Students may not understand “OER”
#NoLo = no-cost / low-cost textbook options
$40 or less per course to purchase new
Textbook rentals not included
Course supplies and lab manuals not included

4. #NoLo Timeline Fall 2017: Course labeling explored
Spring 2018: CCC labels courses with #NoLo
Fall 2018: #NoLo expands to other campuses
Spring 2019: #NoLo integrated with Banner
CSCU Press Release
“A new feature within the Banner student information system will allow course schedulers at community colleges to mark and identify courses that use NoLo course materials of no more than $40.”
Currently: 8 out of 12 CCs have adopted #NoLo

5. Original Course Labeling Method

6. New Labeling Method with #NoLo Attribute
Course Search

7. Challenges Anticipated resistance to #NoLo course labeling
Quality of materials
Competition among faculty and course sections
Pressure on faculty to adopt use of OER
Infringes on academic freedom
Bookstore pushback
Discrepancies in #NoLo guidelines – need a consistent policy across the system

8. Student Promotional Strategies
#NoLo Guy
Capital’s #NoLo website
Posters & flyers
Life-size standee
“Go #NoLo” video on website and internal digital signage
Student feedback: video testimonials, surveys

9. Faculty Promotional Strategies
OpenCSCU website – Textbook Heroes, Faculty Collaborators
Faculty video testimonials
Creative Commons training for CSCU Librarians (closed cohort)

10. #NoLo Section Counts at CCC by Semester

11. Success in PSY*111 General Psychology

12. Success in MAT*137 Intermediate Algebra

13. Questions? Your Stories?

14. Going #NoLo
Developing a Course Labeling Strategy to Promote the Use of OER Course Materials
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Michael J. Bies:
Ryan Pierson:
Eileen Rhodes:
Capital Community College: CapitalCC.edu