The library can help instructors find and adapt free homework systems, test banks, and ancillary materials. Here are just a few examples of alternatives:

• Math homework platform 
• Quick checks for learning in LibreTexts 
• Assessments attached to existing OER (requires login as instructor) 

Be sure to check UCSC's list of existing software to make sure that there isn't an existing licensed tool that might fit your needs first. 

The library can also help connect instructors that are interested in using existing technology (like Canvas) with campus resources like the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). Instructors sometimes compile or build upon other freely available materials, including simulations, videos, 3D models, and more. Contact us for help with finding and using this content in your discipline. 

Grading presents a significant challenge for large courses with hundreds of students, even if instructors have TA support. Many instructors turn to proprietary homework systems where grading is automated. At the same time, these systems present several challenges: 

• These systems can be very costly for students, particularly when they are not included in the price of the textbook
• One study found that the average cost of a stand-alone access code was $100.24 in addition to the cost of the textbook 
• By creating access codes that include assignments and tests, publishers lock 100% of the students in a course into buying their product and eliminate a student’s ability to opt-out
• Students also often encounter challenges learning new software each quarter and have to troubleshoot technical issues, which sometimes requires instructor support