Scheduled for May 20 - 22, the three-day institute kickoff will cover a variety of topics related to OER and their place in the community college classroom. The kickoff will take place in person on the Sugar Grove campus, though there will be a hybrid option for those unable to be present. Content will be based on OER Starter Kit by Abbey Elder, with additional readings and resources provided as part of the sessions.
Understanding of OER Principles: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of Open Educational Resources (OER), including their definition, benefits, and key principles, enabling them to articulate the value of OER in the educational context.
Knowledge of Copyright and CC/Open Licensing: Participants will develop a solid understanding of copyright laws, Creative Commons licenses, and other open licensing models. This knowledge will empower them to make informed decisions when selecting, adapting, and sharing OER, ensuring legal and ethical use.
Proficient OER Navigation: Participants will develop proficiency in navigating OER repositories and utilizing search tools to efficiently locate high-quality open educational resources. They will be able to employ effective search strategies and filters to find materials relevant to their instructional needs.
Considerations for Effective OER Use: Participants will explore considerations for effectively integrating OER into their instructional practices. This includes evaluating the relevance and quality of OER, considering accessibility and inclusivity, and understanding potential challenges and solutions in the adoption of open educational resources.
Effective Assessment Strategies with OER: Participants will develop effective assessment strategies aligned with OER, incorporating best practices for designing assessments that assess student learning outcomes while leveraging the benefits of open educational resources. This includes the use of formative and summative assessments that promote active engagement and critical thinking.
Seamless Integration into Canvas: Participants will gain the skills to seamlessly integrate OER and other instructional resources into the Canvas learning management system. They will explore techniques for organizing content, creating engaging learning modules, and optimizing the Canvas platform to enhance the overall student learning experience.
Incorporating DEI and Accessibility Considerations: Participants will deepen their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles and accessibility considerations in the context of OER. They will learn to design courses that are inclusive and accessible to diverse student populations, addressing equity issues and fostering an environment that supports all learners.
Application of Open Pedagogy Principles: Participants will learn to apply open pedagogy principles to their instructional practices, fostering learner engagement, collaboration, and co-creation of knowledge. They will explore strategies for involving students in the creation and sharing of educational content, promoting active participation and a sense of ownership in the learning process.
May 20: Introduction to OER
Overview/introduction to the concept of OER. Fundamentals of copyright and Creative Commons/Open licensing underpinning the OER movement, and delve into various things to consider when planning to convert a course to use OER.
May 21: Finding & Evaluating OER
Discuss finding & evaluating OER, the various repositories & search tools available, ancillary content, and the use of other (non-open) resources.
May 22: Teaching with OER
Practical considerations on teaching with OER, such as the concept of Open Pedagogy. We will devote time to discussing assessment best practices, effectively integrating OER with Canvas, as well as DEI & accessibility considerations.
