Cengage Contributes Openly Licensed Content to OER Community

Part of Company's Ongoing Efforts to Increase Access to Quality Learning

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Jul 16, 2018, 13:00 ET

BOSTON, July 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cengage, an education and technology company, is contributing the narrative content for three openly licensed textbooks, as well as the learning objectives and assessments for 12 course areas as Open Educational Resources (OER). The Creative Commons Attribution licensed (CC BY) narrative content and the learning objectives are available to download from the Cengage website where content can be accessed as editable files without a required login or purchase. The CC BY licensed assessments are available via editable files with an instructor login.

"Our company has undertaken several initiatives to lower the cost of materials and increase access to quality learning," said Cheryl Costantini, Vice President of Content Strategy, Cengage. "OER is a key part of these efforts and we are excited to freely share this content, learning objectives and assessments. Today's announcement reaffirms our commitment to the OER community, which has done so much to raise awareness around affordability issues in higher education."

"It's time for the non-profit organizations and for-profit companies to work together in support of our students," said Barbara Illowsky, OER & Innovation Fellow at The Michelson 20MM Foundation and leading OER international expert, as well as one of the first open textbook authors. "Here is one example of an innovative collaboration. I'm excited for the future possibilities."

Last year, Cengage launched OpenNow, a suite of technology-enhanced OER products for general education. OpenNow pilots reached nearly 2,000 students this past spring, with instructors reporting that the platform increases student engagement while saving instructors time. Beginning in fall 2018, OpenNow will be available for general use with more than 5,000 students using it across the U.S.

Beginning in January 2019, OpenNow will be available with a subscription to Cengage Unlimited, which gives students total access to all the company's digital higher education materials – more than 22,000 products across 70 disciplines and more than 675 courses – for $119.99 a semester. OpenNow will also be available for standalone purchase for $25 per student per course.

In addition to open content, Cengage contributes to the open ecosystem through its commitment to interoperability and utilization of IMS Global Learning Consortium's open standards. To learn more about Cengage openly licensed content, visit the product pages at OpenNow College Success, Developmental English and English Composition. To learn more about Cengage Unlimited, visit: https://www.cengage.com/unlimited.

About Cengage

Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher ed, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service. We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

Media Contact:
Chloe Ryan, Cengage
617-757-8160, [email protected]

SOURCE Cengage