How open-source textbooks can save students millions: Jhangiani

Open-access textbooks offer an opportunity to help PSE students with a growing financial burden, writes Kwantlen Polytechnic University Psychology Instructor Rajiv Jhangiani. The author notes that the cost of textbooks has risen by 1,041% since 1977, and that textbooks can now cost anywhere between $50 and $450 for a single course, accounting for up to 40% postsecondary student's educational costs. The author adds, however, that more than 42 BC educational institutions have adopted open textbooks over the past five years, saving students roughly $5.5M. Jhangiani credits much of this success to BCcampus, the agency charged with leading the BC Open Textbook project. Globe and Mail