Case Study: Coventry University
Coventry University's OER Success Story: High Adoption, Cost Savings and Positive Student Impact.
Coventry University has successfully implemented a sustainable model for learning resources by embracing Open Educational Resources (OER) through a partnership with Sylla realizing £251,317.39 in cost savings. This initiative addressed financial pressures, evolving pedagogical needs, and a commitment to providing essential learning materials to every student at no additional cost.
"Adopting high-quality OER at scale has transformed access to essential learning resources for our students and delivered significant, sustainable savings for the institution." Phil Brabban, Chief Librarian and Group Director of Learning Resources.
Key Outcomes:
Cost Savings: Realized £251,317.39 in cost savings, representing an 82% reduction compared to previous spending.
OER Adoption Rate: Achieved a 70% OER adoption rate across 350 modules.
OER Chapters: Integrated over 1800 OER chapters into custom readers.
Student Impact: Positively impacted 11,832 students, benefiting approximately 80% of the undergraduate population.
Resource Transformation: Shifted 245 modules from closed to open content for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Background and Implementation:
Following a successful pilot, Coventry University embarked on an ambitious project to replace costly textbooks with OER, supported by a technology platform. The university designed a communication and engagement strategy that treated OER adoption as a cultural shift, not just a technical rollout.
"Sylla has been the catalyst that accelerated our progression toward a sustainable, student-centred model. The shift has been smoother than anticipated, met with less resistance, and has delivered a significantly greater impact than expected." Dal Badesha, Head of Learning Resources and Student Experience.
Strategies for Success:
Strong support from university leadership.
Innovative "Discovery Sessions" to engage academics.
Clear motivation and collaboration among librarians, academics, and the university community.
Utilizing resources to discover relevant, high-quality OER materials.
"Using Sylla for the Business Accounting module has been a very positive experience... Sylla made the process of integrating OER into the curriculum seamless and effective." Dr Haseeb Ayaz, Assistant Professor (Teaching) in Accounting.
Future Implications:
The success of Coventry University demonstrates a sustainable approach to learning resources, offering a model for other institutions in the UK higher education sector. This collaboration ensures students have access to essential learning materials without the burden of additional costs.
"What we achieved with Coventry is more than a milestone: it's a blueprint for a more open, sustainable, and student-centred future.” Sam Eerdmans, Director of Business & Operations, Sylla.
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