The program for Affordable Learning Materials (PALM) is part of the CSU system-wide Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) campaign, which is "designed to enable faculty to choose and provide quality educational content that is more affordable for their students." The mission of this program is to make higher education more accessible to students by promoting the use of high-quality, free and low-cost learning materials.
Open Education The Open Education Consortium states:
“People want to learn. By providing free and open access to education and knowledge, we help create a world where people can fulfill this desire. Students can get additional information, viewpoints and materials to help them succeed. Workers can learn things that will help them on the job. Faculty can draw on resources from all around the world. Researchers can share data and develop new networks. Teachers can find new ways to help students learn. People can connect with others they wouldn't otherwise meet to share ideas and information. Materials can be translated, mixed together, broken apart and openly shared again, increasing access and inviting fresh approaches. Anyone can access educational materials, scholarly articles, and supportive learning communities anytime they want to. Education is available, accessible, modifiable and free.”
Affordable Learning Materials at Cal State LA Generally, Open Educational Resources are available through Creative Commons licensing. These licenses allow creators to decide how they would like their works shared, and whether or not they can be reworked. Creators maintain copyright while also allowing the free flow of ideas. In fact, many organizations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, have policies that require their research to be available free-of-charge to the public, so that they can encourage sharing of knowledge and the free-flow of ideas.
Some of the affordable learning materials offered at Cal State LA are:
- Electronic Resources through the Library
- Fair Use Learning Materials
- Course Reserves
- Textbook Rental at the Cal State LA Bookstore
Learn much more valuable information about AL$.