Oct 28, 2015 | Intercom
NMC students pocketed an extra $137,000 this semester thanks to instructors using free and low-cost textbooks.
Led by Osterlin Library director Tina Ulrich, NMC is piloting an experiment in Open Educational Resources this semester. Ten instructors were selected to receive a stipend of either $500 or an iPad — provided by an NMC Foundation innovation grant — as an incentive to redesign their courses using free textbooks and other resources, often found online.
In the process, Ulrich discovered other instructors already using OERs or low-cost textbooks. In total, NMC has 17 instructors she calls “textbook heroes” teaching 880 students in subjects ranging from math to English to history to social work.
Oct 28, 2015 | Intercom, Student News
October 28, 2015
NMC students pocketed an extra $137,000 this semester thanks to instructors using free and low-cost textbooks.
Led by Osterlin Library director Tina Ulrich, NMC is piloting an experiment in Open Educational Resources this semester. Ten instructors were selected to receive a stipend of either $500 or an iPad — provided by an NMC Foundation innovation grant — as an incentive to redesign their courses using free textbooks and other resources, often found online.
In the process, Ulrich discovered other instructors already using OERs or low-cost textbooks. In total, NMC has 17 instructors she calls “textbook heroes” teaching 880 students in subjects ranging from math to English to history to social work.
The hero label is no exaggeration for students in Brian Sweeney’s physics class, who each saved $198 thanks to his choice of an OER.
“I wouldn’t have bought it,” physics student Eli Seal, 31, said of the $198 textbook.
Pre-med student Alyson Bunker of Gaylord calls textbook prices “ridiculous.” One online book cost her $110, she said.
“It’s extortion,” said student Tripp Coleman, 25, of Traverse City. He’s attending school on the GI Bill® and has a book allowance of only $509 per semester. That’s barely two-thirds of the $750 NMC recommends students budget, which amounts to 15 percent of tuition costs, Ulrich said.
Students said prices for online books and book rentals are still inflated and rigged with late fees, and end-of-semester book buy backs don’t offer enough return. Many said they like the online nature of OERs like the one Sweeney chose, which can easily be searched for specific content and linked to supplementary material.
“My course is organized better than ever and the students like the extra videos and interactive supplements for the class,” said math instructor Deb Menchaca.
Students who prefer printed materials can download and print OER materials, Ulrich noted.
Besides the cost savings, instructors said going off-book allowed them to reinvigorate their courses with newer material.
“Our computers are outdated as soon as we buy them. Our textbooks are, too,” said social work instructor Lisa Blackford. Now she’s consciously choosing materials as varied as TED talks and podcasts and believes students are more engaged.
Sociology instructor Brandon Everest agreed. He uses a $30 textbook published through OpenStax College, a nonprofit initiative of Rice University. The book’s content is not as thorough as the one he previously used, but that creates an opportunity to customize the course.
“It is more skeletal, so we were allowed to hang the flesh wherever we saw fit,” he said.
In terms of student performance, most instructors said students did as well or better on tests as they did with traditional textbooks. Sweeney said every test and lab score is better this fall.
The pilot project also aligns NMC with national trends. Earlier this month two U.S. senators introduced the Affordable College Textbook Act, which would expand the use of OERs.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Oct 27, 2015 | Student News
You’ve seen the signs around campus but have you registered for spring semester yet? If not, now is the time! Check your MAP (MyAcadmicPlan) to see what classes you need for your degree program. Next, log in to your NMC Self Service and use the “Registration” tab to select classes for spring semester. Have a hold on your account? Contact the Advising Center at (231) 995-1040 or advising@nmc.edu and we can help!
Oct 27, 2015 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Four Northwestern Michigan College leaders depart Sunday for a nine-day trip to China to formalize educational exchanges with a Chinese technical college.
NMC’s newest baccalaureate program major, Marine Technology, is the foundation for this partnership with Yellow River Conservancy Technical Institute. Located in Kaifeng, China, YRCTI is a three-year technical school that provides academic training in support of large, river-based, hydroelectric facilities in China.
“The work done at YRCTI is a companion pathway to the training we provide at NMC. We are going there to formalize the mechanisms for exchange of students and faculty between NMC and YRCTI as well as to cooperatively build curriculum in support of bachelor’s degree completion for Chinese students who come to NMC to study,” said Hans VanSumeren, director of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, which offers the Marine Technology major.
Also representing NMC on the trip are Marguerite Cotto, vice president for Lifelong and Professional Learning, Chris Weber, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Services, and Ed Bailey, director of the Technical Division. Weber, who speaks Mandarin, and Cotto previously visited YRCTI in 2014.
NMC officials will also investigate other programming collaborations, such as the new Engineering Technology degree. The group returns Nov. 10.
“NMC has made substantial investments in building our equipment, facilities and hiring the talent necessary to be a global provider of specialized training. We also see opportunity to engage NMC students in expertise developed at YRCTI,” Bailey said.
As part of its strategic goal to ensure that NMC learners are prepared for success in a global society and economy, NMC has been working to forge partnerships with multiple Chinese institutions since October 2012, when it hosted officials from six Chinese colleges as part of the American Association of Community Colleges Vocational Leadership Training.
Release date: October 26, 2015
For more information:
Hans VanSumeren, Director, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
Northwestern Michigan College
hvansumeren@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1793
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Oct 26, 2015 | Student News
The Hawk Owls dropped a close match at CMU. Down 1-0, Jon Tuck scored on a great 20 yard bending shot to tie the match 1-1. Assist was from Jack Delude. CMU then took the lead 2-1 20 minutes into the second half on a goal off a corner kick. NMC rallied late trying to get a game tying goal, but with less then a minute remaining the Chips mounted a counter attack to score a goal right before the final whistle. Despite the thee goals, NMC had great defense from Gerry Paniagua, Andrew Bump, Nick Armour, Miguel Alverez and goalkeeping by Ed Smith.
