WisTech Open Education

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About WisTech Open

In 2023, the Wisconsin Technical College System received $3 million for the 2023-2025 biennial budget to create, scale, and advocate for open educational resources. WisTech Open is a culmination of this funding and previous system-wide projects to reduce student textbook costs to promote affordability, equity, and student success.

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Projected Annual Impact

62,297 students
 

10,684 High School students
 

$10.18 million in savings
 

28 Open Textbooks
 

79 courses
 

4,677 course sections
 

Current Projects

Innovative Business Mindset

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 487 students | $78,256 student savings

This book introduces the traits and mindset of entrepreneurs, different tools to determine personal entrepreneurial traits, and a variety of innovative companies (small, social, and global), in addition to an examination of the differences between entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. Finally, this text contains information on the development of business plans.

Proposal & Grant-Writing

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 89 students | $6,675 student savings

This book explores various grant proposal forms, including government, corporate and foundation, with an emphasis on conceptualizing, developing, and writing proposals.

View Open RN

Oral & Interpersonal Communications

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 12,488 students | $2.62 million student savings

This book focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.

Dental textbooks are currently under development through the Open Dental Education Consortium.

Cariology

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 186 students | $21,576 student savings

This text focuses on the characteristics and contributing factors of dental decay, including techniques to minimize caries risk by developing treatment plans, communicating methods to patients, and evaluating treatment results.

Dental Anxiety & Pain Management

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 174 students | $20,184 student savings

This text prepares the student dental hygienist to work within the scope of dental hygiene practice to manage anxiety and pain for dental patients. Included are techniques to prepare and administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide safely and address the recommendation of alternative pain control measures.

Dental Health Safety

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 531 students | $77,128 student savings

This text prepares dental auxiliary students to respond proactively to dental emergencies, controlling infection, preventing disease, adhering to OSHA Standards, and safely managing hazardous materials. Also included are processes for taking patient vital signs and collecting patient medical/dental histories.

Dental Hygiene Ethics & Professionalism

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 168 students | $13,858 student savings

This textbook provides learners with techniques to develop and apply high professional and ethical standards. Learners apply the laws that govern the practice of dental hygiene to their work with patients, other members of a dental team and the community. Emphasis is placed on maintaining professionalism which includes confidentiality and informed consent.

Dental Pharmacology

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 176 students | $30,624 student savings

This text prepares dental hygienists to select safe and effective patient premedication and within the scope of dental hygiene practice. Learners will also learn to recognize potential pharmacological contraindications for specific patients and to take measures to avoid negative impact or alert other members of the dental team to possible negative impact.

Health Career Occupations

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 14 students | $1,624 student savings

This course prepares learners for the written, licensing and clinical practice examinations. It includes a simulated CRDTS exam; a simulated National Board exam; an individualized study plan for written boards and CRDTS; stress/test anxiety management strategies; and dental hygiene licensing application. It also will prepare the learner for resume and cover letter writing for participation in the mock interview, financial planning, study tips, and explore different settings a dental hygienist can work in.

General Anatomy & Physiology

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 8,527 students | $1.37 million student savings

Designed for community and technical college students, this book examines basic concepts of human anatomy and physiology as they relate to health sciences. Using a body systems approach, the course emphasizes the interrelationships between structure and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization of the entire human body. It is intended to help prepare health care professionals who need to apply basic concepts of whole body anatomy and physiology to informed decision-making and professional communication with colleagues and patients.

Digital Literacy for Healthcare

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 1,546 students | $287,556 student savings

This textbook includes the use of technology in healthcare. Learners use common business software applications, including word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and databases. Communication methods using technology are addressed. Learners gain experience with using the electronic health record (EHR). Healthcare EHR security issues, social media use, and digital healthcare resources are examined.

Respiratory Therapy

Project Deliverable: 1 Workbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 562 students | $135,518 student savings

Respiratory Therapy Student Workbook - Laboratory workbook with activities and competencies that focus on topics related to the skills necessary to prepare a student for the field of respiratory therapy. Topics include history of the profession, safety, infection control, medical records, documentation, patient assessment, mechanical ventilation, airway and airway management, therapeutic modalities, including hyperinflation, bronchial hygiene, and oxygen administration. Laboratory activities also include formative and summative assessments of cardiopulmonary diseases and cardiopulmonary pathophysiology and advanced topics such as PFT, bronchoscopy, home care, hemodynamics, ekgs, and neonatal/pediatric topics.

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Early Childhood Education

Foundations of Early Childhood Education

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 2,044 students | $391,426 student savings

This book introduces the early childhood profession through a historical overview of the field. The course will explore program trends, quality indicators, and developmentally appropriate practices for children birth to 8 years of age.

Family & Community Relations

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 718 students | $22,588 student savings

This book examines the role of relationships with family and community in early childhood education for children from birth to 8 years of age.

Emergency Medical Technician I

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 1,830 students | $279,899 student savings

This textbook will prepare students to perform emergency medical care sanctioned by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, EMS Section scope of practice for the EMR/EMT. Includes foundational knowledge and skill application for both EMR/ EMT in the following areas: the EMS system, EMR/EMT responsibilities, legal and ethical standards, patient movement techniques, pathophysiology, body systems and functions, patient assessment and treatment, pharmacology, shock and resuscitation, age-specific patient considerations, special medical considerations, medication administration, airway anatomy and management. Prepares the learner for the National Registry EMR written examination.

Blueprint Reading

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 2,109 students | $349,324 student savings

This textbook serves as an introduction to reading and interpreting prints and industrial drawings. Interpretation of views, projection, lines, sections, working and assembly drawings relative to manufacturing processes and order of operations. Also integrates basic math skills with print reading.

Nursing Dosage Calculations

Project Deliverable: 1 Book (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: Supplementary resource text

This comprehensive guide to nursing dosage calculations provides a clear, step-by-step approach to mastering the essential skills needed for accurate medication administration. The book begins with foundational concepts in mathematics and measurement, ensuring readers understand basic principles before progressing to more complex calculations. The book emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills, encouraging readers to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. With a focus on accuracy and patient safety, this resource is an invaluable tool for nursing students and professionals alike.

Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd Edition

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 2,266 students | $389,752 student savings

Introduces the entry-level nursing student to the scope of nursing practice, various communication techniques, and caring for diverse patients. The nursing process is used as a framework for providing patient care based on the following nursing concepts: safety, oxygenation, comfort, spiritual well-being, grief and loss, sleep and rest, mobility, nutrition, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and elimination. Care for patients with integumentary disorders and cognitive or sensory impairments is also discussed. Learning activities have been incorporated into each chapter to encourage students to use critical thinking while applying content to patient care situations.

Nursing Health Alterations

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 1,959 students | $391,780 student savings

Elaborates upon the basic concepts of health and illness as presented in Nursing Fundamentals. Applies theories of nursing in the care of patients through the lifespan, utilizing problem solving and critical thinking. Provides an opportunity to study conditions affecting different body systems and apply evidence-based nursing interventions, and introduces concepts of leadership and management.

Nursing Management & Professional Concepts, 2nd Edition

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 1,486 students | $123,338 student savings

Introduces concepts related to nursing leadership and management, prioritization strategies, delegation and supervision, legal implications of nursing practice, ethical nursing practice, collaboration within the interprofessional team, health care economics, quality and evidence-based practice, advocacy, preparation for the RN role, and the avoidance of burnout with self-care. Several online, interactive learning activities are included in each chapter that encourage application of content to patient-care situations. Additionally, the Appendix includes a “suite of patients” with suggested prompts for classroom discussion to assist students in applying concepts from the book to real patient-care situations.

Nursing Mental Health & Community Concepts, 2nd Edition

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 1,639 students | $152,427 student savings

Includes topics related to the delivery of community and mental health care. Specific health needs of individuals, families, and groups will be addressed across the lifespan. Attention will be given to diverse and at-risk populations. Mental health concepts will concentrate on adaptive/maladaptive behaviors and specific mental health disorders. Community resources will be examined in relation to specific types of support offered to racial, ethnic, economically diverse individuals and groups.

Nursing Promotion

Project Deliverable: 1 Textbook (free open educational resource)
Annual Project Impact: 5,171 students | $1.34 million student savings

Focuses on topics related to health promotion for individuals and families throughout the lifespan. Topics include reproductive issues, pregnancy, labor and delivery, post-partum, the newborn, and the child, adaptive and maladaptive behaviors applying mental health principles. An emphasis is placed on teaching and supporting healthy lifestyle choices for individuals of all ages. Nutrition, exercise, stress management, empowerment, and risk reduction practices are highlighted. Study of the family will cover dynamics, functions, discipline styles, and stages of development. Will also prepare the learner to provide and evaluate care for patients with congenital heart defects, alterations in reproductive systems, high-risk perinatal conditions, and high-risk newborn conditions.

Legacy Projects

The Open RN project was funded by a $2.5 million grant from the Department of Education - Open Textbook Pilot grant, to create five zero-cost nursing textbooks. The project grew to include five additional textbooks and virtual simulations, funded by HEERF, the Department of Labor, WTCS, and a WiLS Ideas to Action award. Open RN Nursing Pharmacology, Nursing Skills, and Nursing Fundamentals won Awards for Excellence from OE Global in 2020. For more information about the award, visit the 2020 OE Awards for Excellence web site.

View Open RN

A spin-off of Open RN, the goal of this project is to improve the preparedness of pre-licensure nurses entering the workforce by providing the opportunity to practice taking NCLEX Next Generation (NGN) style questions.

View Next Gen RN

The ARISE project incorporates videos, images, and sounds into high-fidelity simulations that instructors and students access through a QR code and an iPad. Through the simulations, learners are provided with experiences to more closely represent the actual clinical environment, e.g., authentic images of patient heart with actual heart and lung sounds.

View ARISE

Professional Development

Student Success with Open and Affordable Resources

This course will provide a beginner-level overview of how student success relates to open educational resources (OER) through the lens of who, what, where, when, why, and how. Participants will examine the problem with the current textbook publishing model, investigate student and faculty perceptions, identify stakeholders within their own institutions, review trends in the Wisconsin and higher education landscape, explore available resources, and begin a plan to get them started on their own OER journey.

Upon course completion you will receive a certificate as a Wisconsin OER Champion! Speak with your supervisor to discuss how this can be incorporated into your ongoing professional development plan!

Consider enrolling in the course with a colleague from your institution to work together!

Wisconsin Open Education Symposium

A workshop series of important topics in open education. View the schedule and sign up for upcoming sessions.

View Wisconsin Open Education Symposium 

Instructor //  
Rachel Becker, Madison College

Course Delivery //  
10 - 15 Hours  |  Online Instruction

Course Cost //  
FREE

January 3 - 28, 2025 
Register Now  |  Registration Closes December 20

March 3 - 31, 2025 
Register Now  |  Registration Closes February 21

May 1 - 30, 2025 
Register Now  |  Registration Closes April 18

Textbook Showcase

Using Computers In Healthcare
Innovative Business Mindset
Health Alterations
Nursing Assistant
Nursing Fundamentals (Second Edition)
Nursing Management and Professional Concepts
Nursing Pharmacology (Second Edition)
Nursing Skills (Second Edition)
Nursing Mental Health and Community Concepts
Medical Terminology (Second Edition)

For bookstores: Print textbook orders can be placed directly with Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

Request More Info

For more information about WisTech and related projects, please fill out this form or email us at oer@cvtc.edu.

For past updates, visit the WisTech Open blog.

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