Affordable Learning Solutions Faculty Programs

Academic Technology Services is offering the following faculty programs to support the integration of low-cost learning materials into their courses as part of the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) partnership.

Course Materials Integration Program

The Spring 2025 program includes a $500 stipend and digital badge for completing the requirements.

  • January 31: Application due by 11:59pm
  • February 3-February 7:  Committee selects applicants
  • February 10: Participants are notified 
  • February 17: Program begins; virtual orientation meeting from 11am-12pm (strongly recommended)
  • April 25: Program ends; deliverables are due

The AL$ Course Materials Integration program assists faculty in converting their courses to zero- or low-cost courses. 

By completing the course and attending hands-on workshops, faculty will be introduced to Open Educational Resources (OER), CSU Library Resources, Open Access Content, Immediate Access Programs, and Equitable Access/Flat-Fee Programs. 

Participants will create an e-portfolio site to present their course and be invited to attend a Faculty Showcase Event (Spring 2025) highlighting their amazing work.

  1. Review the application questions: AL$ Course Materials Integration Application Example [docx]. 
    This document will aid you in preparing for some of the lengthier questions on the application form. Feel free to write up your draft answers on the document.
  2. Submit the online application at the link below:

Applicant Selection Criteria

  • Intrinsic Motivation: We seek faculty members who are genuinely motivated to assist students in reducing the cost of course materials. 
  • Commitment to Affordability: We value faculty members who prioritize affordability when selecting course materials. 
  • Large Enrollment Courses: We are interested in faculty who teach courses with substantial student enrollment.
  • Addressing Low Grades: We are particularly interested in faculty members whose courses experience a high rate of D’s, F’s, or Withdrawals.
  • Lower Division Undergraduate Course Instructors: We are looking for faculty who teach Lower Division/Undergraduate Courses.
  • Managing Course Material Costs: Lastly, we appreciate faculty who handle courses with high course material costs. 

We encourage all faculty to apply even if some of these criteria do not align with your current situation. Your passion and unique perspective can make a valuable impact! 

After completing the program, participants will receive a $500 stipend, , and will be featured on the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Affordable Learning Solutions Showcase. 

  1. Attend a mandatory 30-minute kickoff meeting with your assigned instructional designer and librarian.
  2. Complete the self-paced course by April 25, 2025; review all course content and score of 85% or above on all module quizzes.
  3. Attend 2 AL$ Live Workshops (see below for schedule).
  4. Attend a mandatory consultation meeting with your paired Instructional Designer and Librarian. 
  5. Submit the AL$ Questionnaire using our provided template; see example [PDF].
  6. Build a digital MERLOT AL$ Adoption Showcase by April 25, 2025 (see details in the course for showcase expectations); see the .
  7. Complete the
  8. Complete the Chancellors Office Affordable Learning Solutions Reporting Survey

AL$ Self-Paced Canvas Course

Upon completion, participants will earn a digital badge to demonstrate their commitment to affordable learning.

  • Program Dates: February 17- April 25, 2025
  • Open enrollment; sign up for the course anytime during the program dates

AL$ Self-Paced Course is intended to prepare you to shift your course materials to either Low-Cost or Zero-Cost Course. By completing this course, you have the option to receive three badges: Low-Cost Course Badge and/or Zero-Cost Course Badge or both. Most importantly, this course will make you an agent of change at CSU Long Beach.  

Faculty enrolled in the self-paced course will learn about Open Education Resource (OER’s), ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú equitable access programs, the impact of low cost or zero cost materials have on students, and basic copyright and creative commons licenses for open educational resources. This self-paced course provides participants three different pathways where they can for the following: 

  • Zero-cost course material faculty badge 
  • Low- cost course material faculty badge      
  • Zero-cost and low cost course material faculty badge 

  1. Complete the self-paced course by April 25, 2025.
  2. Review all course content and score of 85% or above on all module quizzes. 

Live Workshops

Affordable Learning: Integrating OER's into Your Curriculum
Friday, February 28 | 10-11am  |  

Would you like to make your course materials more affordable and accessible to your students, but feel you lack the time and expertise to find and evaluate alternatives to expensive textbooks? 

In this hands-on workshop, participants will be introduced to Open Educational Resources (OERs) and explore repositories, such as and . Learn tips on how to search, evaluate, and integrate these no-cost quality learning materials into your curriculum. Attendees will also participate in discussions about existing opportunities to reduce the cost of student learning and create a more equitable education system.

Presented by:

angel
Angel Pablico-Kobayashi
ATS Instructional Designer,
Academic Technology Services
cathy
Cathy Outten
Librarian, 
Research & Information Services
University Library

Visit our Events and Workshop page for a complete listing of faculty workshops.

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of faculty is eligible to apply for the AL$ Course Materials Integration Program?
All faculty types are welcome to apply.

When will I be notified if I’m selected for the AL$ Course Materials Integration Program?
Selected participants will be notified by September 30 by email. 

Can faculty or staff register for the AL$ Live Workshops or AL$ Self-Paced Canvas Course?
Yes, faculty or staff can register for workshops or the self-paced course.

Can I register for the AL$ Live Workshops if I am not part of the AL$ Course Materials Integration Program?
Yes, we encourage all faculty or staff to register for the Affordable Learning: Integrating OERs into Your Curriculum  workshop, the other two workshops are specifically relevant to participants of the AL$ Course Materials Integration Program.