OER and ZTC are basically the same thing for most purposes. Because they are used so interchangeably in teaching, here is a bit of an explainer.
OER is Open Educational Resources and refers to all the resources faculty uses to teach a class. This usually means the textbook but can refer to readings, videos, or anything else needed to teach that are free to the student and usually available online in some format. There can be some things that do need to be purchased, such as calculators, lab coats, and goggles.
ZTC is Zero Textbook Cost and refers to all the readings that are digital and free of cost. Students want to know if they have to buy a book or not and this makes more sense to them. ZTC was adopted by the State of California for language referring to OER and is used in the schedule
Here is some language to help students find ZTC materials in the schedule and some sample language that can be used in the syllabus and in introductory emails to students. Feel free to copy and paste to use anywhere applicable.
Look for this symbol in the schedule for classes with free textbooks!
You do not need to buy a textbook for this class. All of our readings and resources will be accessible online via Canvas for free. At Pierce, we call classes like ours "zero textbook cost" (ZTC) classes. (You may also hear these referred to as OER classes.) If you like the idea of not having to buy books for your classes, you can search for other ZTC classes offered at Pierce by choosing "Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) - OER" from the "Class Search Type" dropdown in the schedule of classes.
Free Textbook Zone!
You do not need to buy a textbook for our class. All of our readings and resources will be accessible online via Canvas for free.
At Pierce, we call classes like ours "zero textbook cost" (ZTC) classes. (You may also hear these referred to as OER classes.) ZTC classes are a win-win for both you as a student and me as a professor. You do not have to budget for, and spend your own money on, a textbook and you can access our course materials from anywhere through Canvas. I can rest easy knowing that everyone has access to our materials without having to wait for a financial aid check to come in or an Amazon package to show up.
If you like the idea of not having to buy books for your classes, you can search for other ZTC classes at Pierce by choosing "Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) - OER" from the "Class Search Type" dropdown in the schedule of classes.