UA Little Rock Forges Ahead with Open Educational Resources, Boosting Student Success

In an exciting development for students, educators, and families across Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) is significantly expanding its Open Educational Resources (OER) initiatives. This strategic move not only promises to ease the financial burden on students but also enhances the quality and accessibility of learning materials, fostering a more engaging and effective educational environment.

According to UA Little Rock, this expansion builds on existing efforts and positions the university as a frontrunner in a movement recognized nationally for its profound impact on student success. The university will also host the Open Arkansas 2026 Conference, further cementing its role in advancing open education dialogues within the state.

The Power of Open Educational Resources: More Than Just Free Textbooks

At its core, Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely available teaching, learning, and research materials that carry open licenses, allowing educators to adapt, share, and use content without cost. This goes far beyond simply providing free textbooks; it encompasses lesson plans, digital modules, videos, and much more.

The significance of OER has recently been highlighted by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), which designated OER as a high-impact practice (HIP). This designation is reserved for educational strategies with proven benefits for student engagement and success. According to the AAC&U study cited by UA Little Rock, institutions implementing OER have observed several positive outcomes:

• Lower course withdrawal rates: Students are more likely to stay enrolled in courses.
• Improved grades: A higher percentage of students earn A grades.
• Faster time-to-completion: Particularly beneficial for students taking longer than four years to graduate.
• Enhanced engagement and persistence: Students are more involved in their learning and more likely to complete their studies.
• Reduced out-of-pocket expenses: Directly addressing one of the most significant costs associated with higher education.

Furthermore, OER offers instructors the flexibility to tailor course materials, updating content and presenting concepts in ways that best meet the diverse needs of their learners. This adaptability ensures that educational content remains relevant and engaging.

UA Little Rock's Strategic Vision for OER

While OER has only recently received national recognition as a HIP, UA Little Rock faculty members have been quietly integrating and creating these resources for years. Emily Bowie, academic success librarian at UA Little Rock, noted that many faculty were already engaging in practices that align with OER principles, even if they weren't explicitly using the terminology.

Over the past year, staff at Ottenheimer Library have been instrumental in identifying existing OER use within the university and researching successful open education initiatives at peer institutions. This research is shaping a long-term strategy to support instructors who wish to adopt, adapt, or create OER, aiming to build a sustainable program that can continue to grow.

As an R2 institution, a designation from the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education recognizing universities with significant research activity, UA Little Rock is uniquely positioned to lead in this area. According to Bowie, the university is looking at what other R2 institutions are doing in OER and open access publishing to develop an initiative that is uniquely suited and sustainable for UA Little Rock.

New Resources and Statewide Collaboration

To further support its OER initiatives, UA Little Rock is launching ScholarHub@UALittleRock this fall. This new institutional repository will serve as a free, publicly accessible digital home for work created by UA Little Rock faculty and students, including research, dissertations, and, crucially, open educational resources. By making these materials openly available, ScholarHub@UALittleRock will expand the reach and impact of the university’s work globally, providing valuable insights into how often resources are viewed, downloaded, and used.

Beyond its campus, UA Little Rock is also taking a leadership role in fostering statewide collaboration. On October 16, the university will host the Open Arkansas 2026 Conference. This event will bring together educators, librarians, instructional designers, and other partners from across Arkansas to explore how OER projects and strategies can evolve into sustainable, large-scale practices.

Dr. Tiffani Tijerina, assistant professor of rhetoric and writing, expressed excitement about the conference's central location, making it more accessible to educators statewide. The keynote speaker, Amy Hofer, director of Open Oregon Educational Resources, will share insights from Oregon's successful statewide OER consortium, offering a valuable blueprint for Arkansas.

For students navigating the complexities of academic life, initiatives like these provide invaluable support. Just as OER makes learning materials more accessible, platforms like COSMIQ offer free voice-driven AI tutoring, empowering K-12 students with personalized academic assistance, anytime and anywhere, further democratizing access to educational support. Students and parents can also find free practice hubs by grade and subject to complement their OER materials.

A Brighter Future for Arkansas Education

The growing recognition of OER presents a significant opportunity for UA Little Rock to expand affordable learning options and strengthen collaboration among faculty. As more instructors adopt, adapt, and create open educational resources, students will benefit from reduced costs, immediate access to course materials, and learning resources specifically designed to meet a variety of educational needs.

Bowie believes that UA Little Rock has the potential to be a leader in Arkansas, building on the foundation of affordable, high-impact learning. This commitment to OER not only creates more opportunities for students to succeed but also demonstrates the university's dedication to innovation and accessibility in higher education.