Faculty: Drop in for Snacks and Information on Open Educational Resources Sept. 18

Interested in exploring an open textbook for a future semester? Come learn more and investigate options with open education librarian Christine Rickabaugh at the Snack and See drop-in event, set for 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, in Mullins Library 439. 

"This workshop is a great opportunity for faculty who are considering a new textbook to explore open textbooks," said Camie Wood, Global Campus instructional designer and Open Educational Resources Team member. 

Participants will learn the basics of Open Educational Resources (OER) and how they can support student success. Attendees will be introduced to several repositories, including the Open Education Network's Open Textbook Library. Faculty completing a textbook review for the Open Textbook Library will be compensated $250.  

"The array of disciplines represented in open textbooks is constantly expanding," Rickabaugh said. "Even if you looked at using OER in the past, there may be new resources that have been created since your last exploration. In addition, the collaboration between Global Campus and University Libraries hosts an array of support for faculty wanting to transition to OER."

The University Libraries and Global Campus have been offering support and compensation to faculty who adapt or create open textbooks since 2017 through the Open Educational Resources Course Materials Conversion Program. 

"The use of an open textbook can support faculty's academic freedom, giving them the opportunity to tailor a resource to their exact course while reducing the financial burden for students," Rickabaugh said.