How Open Educational Resources are Being Used and Implemented (Part I)
Speaker
Description
Open content and resources are taking hold as a key step to improving access and affordability in higher education. Students who withdraw from college often cite that the cost of textbooks and materials are a significant barrier. In response, institutions are, increasingly, adopting open content and resources as one way to improve course materials’ accessibility, affordability, and efficacy. How are institutions across the U.S. implementing open content and improving student success and completion? Open content initiatives range from course-based to full degrees that utilize open educational resources. In the first part of this two-part, in-depth session, several institutions — representing varying stages of implementing their initiatives — will share their stories.
In the second part of this session, audience member will be invited to join colleagues who are at a similar stage of OER adoption and implementation initiatives in facilitated roundtable discussions.
This two part session will span two concurrent session blocks and include presentation and roundtable discussion.
Speaker
Description
Open content and resources are taking hold as a key step to improving access and affordability in higher education. Students who withdraw from college often cite that the cost of textbooks and materials are a significant barrier. In response, institutions are, increasingly, adopting open content and resources as one way to improve course materials’ accessibility, affordability, and efficacy. How are institutions across the U.S. implementing open content and improving student success and completion? Open content initiatives range from course-based to full degrees that utilize open educational resources. In the first part of this two-part, in-depth session, several institutions — representing varying stages of implementing their initiatives — will share their stories.
- Thomas Edison State University and Ed Map — TESU’s partner for its OER initiative — will discuss the logistical and cultural challenges of implementing OER. They will also share perspectives on the changing nature and use of course materials, barriers in moving away from traditional models, and strategies for curating content.
- Learn about the Open Textbook Network housed within the University of Minnesota, an alliance of higher education institutions committed to improving access, affordability, and academic success through the use of open textbooks.
- Hear about the progress College of the Canyons is making offering students a zero total cost degree by the fall of 2017. The ZTC will be offered in Sociology, and the degree utilizes model curriculum for the state, which provides guaranteed pathways between community colleges and California State Universities.
- The North Dakota University system will also illuminate the challenges and opportunities of a state-wide OER initiative, which is now in its second year.
In the second part of this session, audience member will be invited to join colleagues who are at a similar stage of OER adoption and implementation initiatives in facilitated roundtable discussions.
This two part session will span two concurrent session blocks and include presentation and roundtable discussion.
