OER Digest – July 27, 2023

Jul 27

Written By

Aishah Abdullah (SPARC) | Volume 172 | July 27, 2023

THE OER DIGEST

Your monthly newsletter for open education updates, opportunities, and reminders

SUMMER RECHARGE: The authors of the OER Digest are wishing everyone a healthy, relaxing rest of the summer for those on break or able to take time off. As the open education community continues to make notable strides, it is essential to emphasize the significance of self-care and allocating time for rest. We hope people find the time to reset and are supportive of others in doing the same. We commend the community for its unwavering dedication to advancing open education, and we deeply value the relentless effort put forth in driving meaningful change.

OPEN CONNECTIONS

Conferences, jobs, and other OER-related opportunities

JOB POSTING: Virginia Tech is hiring an OER, Graphic Design, and Digital Publishing Specialist. This position supports the work of the Open Education Initiative.

JOB POSTING: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Hunt Library is hiring an Open Education Librarian. This non-tenure track position is part of the Scholarly Communication department and responsible for the growth and support of open educational initiatives.

JOB POSTING: The Open Education Conference is seeking a manager to coordinate the logistics of our annual convening and provide year-round support to the broader conference community. Learn more and apply here.

APPLY NOW: Apply to run a Wikipedia assignment in Fall 2023. You can attend an upcoming workshop to learn more about this unique pedagogical experience.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: SUNY OER Summit 2023 is now accepting proposals for their free, virtual conference. It will be held October 11-12, 2023 and the deadline for submission is August 2. This summit aims to bring together practitioners from SUNY and beyond to explore innovative approaches, successful case studies, and emerging trends and promote community and collaboration around OER.

STORIES FROM THE FIELD

Quick snapshots of those making changes on the ground level, and those impacted

FROM MICHIGAN: Northern Michigan University has established an Open Educational Resource (OER) Faculty Learning Community. This pioneering initiative is part of a two-year pilot program aimed at promoting widespread OER adoption across campus and facilitating professional development opportunities. Reflecting the university's commitment to accessibility, this community of faculty members is working to revolutionize higher education. Leslie Warren, interim associate provost and dean of Library and Instructional Support, remarked, "The open education resource movement is another way that faculty can remove barriers and support students." With Olson Library and the Center for Teaching and Learning leading the charge, Northern Michigan University takes pride in laying the groundwork for OER, striving to reduce textbook costs, enhance affordability, bridge equity gaps, and empower more students to successfully complete their degrees. Read More >>

FROM IRELAND: Dundalk Institute of Technology’s National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education recently received an esteemed UNESCO Prize. Their work developing the National Resource Hub and Open Courses was recognized and applauded. One of the members of the team, Dr. Ronan Bree played an instrumental role in the development of the National Resource Hub, a user-friendly platform facilitating engagement with open educational resources across the sector. He shared how “The National Resource Hub…offers opportunities for anyone to submit and access open educational resources… in any form, and in any media format.” This hub makes accessing and sharing OER easier than ever. The goal of this project is to support Irish Higher Education and contribute to transformative education. Read More >>

FROM ARKANSAS: Since launching its Open Educational Resource program in 2015, the University of Arkansas Cossatot has made strides in saving students textbook costs. The college has successfully saved students a total of $3,197,081.25 to date, with each academic year showing notable savings. Educational Resources Director and OER Specialist Relinda Ruth, who chairs the Arkansas OER Taskforce, stated “Saving our students nearly 3.2 million in textbook expenses is one way UA Cossatot shows its commitment to student success… we’re excited to look at more open educational practices like open pedagogies, scholarship, and educational technologies that will continue to make higher education more accessible to students.” As UA Cossatot prepares to begin the fall 2023 semester, an impressive 71% of courses will offer OER options, ensuring continued benefits for students.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Each edition, we highlight an interesting, new, openly-licensed resource

The University of West Florida released its newest open education publication titled “Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Sustainability”. This book was written by Emily P. Harris and is intended for college-level environmental science students. It focuses on the most pressing environmental science topics and how to incorporate sustainable practices.

WEIGH IN

Great reads to repost or share and interesting discussions to consider

Great to Share >>

8 Key Factors to Consider When Assessing OER for Your Curriculum | Alternative Amie

2023 Open Textbook Pilot Grantees Share Plans | SPARC

What Are Open Educational Resources | Pledge Times

Interesting to Consider >>

Redlands regents look at keeping tuition steady | The Journal Record

OpenStax: Top Five Powerful Things You Need to Know | Dotcom Magazine

Rising Costs of Textbooks Weigh Students Down | La Voz De Anza

How do we respond to generative AI in education? | JALT

Universities Should Put Educational Materials Online and Make Them Free | Higher Education Policy Institute