OER Digest – September 5, 2019
From Bilan Jama, Creative Commons USA | Volume 89 | September 5, 2019
THE OER DIGEST
Your bi-weekly newsletter for open education updates, opportunities, and reminders
OPENSTAX COLLABORATION: It’s a new school year, and OpenStax has announced their annual partnership with ten higher education institutions across the country to provide major savings for their students in the next academic year. Last year’s OpenStax program cohort saved nearly $17.4 million, and they’re hoping students this year will be able to save again on textbook and instructional materials cost with the use of free learning materials available on OpenStax. This year’s cohort also includes the program’s first HBCU, Prairie View A&M University.K-12 CURRICULA: OpenSciEd is rolling out one of the first full, OER curricula that aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards. A consortium of creators, led by the nonprofit curriculum developer BSCS Science Learning Team and the Next Generation Science Storylines Project out of Northwestern University, began developing OpenSciEd materials in 2017. OpenSciEd ran field tests with teachers in 10 states during the 2018-19 school year. Three units are currently available to the public: 6th grade thermal energy, 7th grade metabolic reactions, and 8th grade sound waves. OpenSciEd plans to release the remaining units in groups of three every six months, with the full sequence is projected to be out by winter 2022.RESOURCE ACCESSIBILITY: The National Federation of the Blind, The National Federation of the Blind of California, and two students, Roy Payan and Portia Mason, have won their disability discrimination lawsuit against the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). LACCD was found to have violated the students’ rights by failing to provide them with accessible documents and course materials, failing to provide equal access to library resources, procuring and using inaccessible educational technology, and maintaining an inaccessible website. The Federal District Court for the Central District of California also criticized the use of the Pearson MyMathLab product at the college.MERGER OPPOSITION CONTINUES: This week, the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) became the first major higher education association to take a position on the Cengage / McGraw-Hill merger. In a letter to Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim, APLU President Peter McPherson urged to the Department of Justice to block the merger on the grounds that it will further reduce competition, disincentivize innovation, and raise textbook prices for students.
OPEN CONNECTIONS
Conferences, jobs, and other OER-related opportunities
REGISTER NOW (AND WE MEAN NOW!!): Early bird registration for the 2019 Open Education Conference (October 29-November 1 in Phoenix, Arizona) ends TOMORROW September 6. Standard registration goes up $150 after that date.REGISTER NOW: Only a few tickets are left for the fall Creative Commons Certificate Course, an in-depth course about CC licenses, open practices and the ethos of the Commons. The course, which starts September 23rd, is composed of readings, quizzes, discussions and practical exercises to develop learners’ open skills.JOB OPPORTUNITY: Anne Arundel Community College is searching for an Open Education Resources (OER) Specialist to join their staff. Applications are due September 13- click here to read more about the position.JOB OPPORTUNITY: Hunter College CUNY is searching for an Assistant Professor (Librarian) - Open Educational Resources (OER) Librarian to join the faculty - applications are open until the position is filled. Click here to read more about the position.CALL FOR PAPERS: The international LINQ 2019 Conference is now accepting scientific papers on innovative learning and education in schools, universities and lifelong learning. Researchers and practitioners must submit an abstract of their planned paper in the conference submission system EasyChair until September 30. The deadline for full paper submissions is on October 10.
STORIES FROM THE FIELD
Quick snapshots of those making change on the ground level, and those impacted
FROM CONNECTICUT: The state commission is looking to unite K-12 and higher education by sharing open educational resources at all levels, from local school districts through state universities and colleges. The state plans to create a technology platform for sharing curriculum materials across district and state lines.“The idea is that we would have one big repository or index of materials from K-12 and higher ed,” said executive director of the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology, Doug Casey. “In speaking with some of the folks in secondary education and higher ed, they are excited about that.” Read more >>FROM IDAHO: Boise State’s support of OER is helping drive down textbook costs for students. This academic year, 16 new OER projects chosen from 33 applications from faculty members will begin on campus due to grants from the Idaho State Board of Education and the Office of the Provost. The evolution of faculty practice toward novel approaches to teaching and learning – OER is just one example – needs to be a bottom-up process with appropriate support,” said Interim Provost Tony Roark. Read more >>FROM NORTH CAROLINA: Open educational resources are changing online education and saving students money at Wake Tech Community College. It is estimated that $360,000 was saved by using a combination of streaming video and OER is giving more students access to introductory courses. Laila Shahid-El, a grant coordinator for the college says that, “We’re looking at expanding more OER resources as well, because that’s something that can have a real impact on what students are able to do.” Read more >>
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Each edition, we highlight an interesting, new, openly-licensed resource
The EL Toolkit provides information, examples, and templates for designing, delivering, facilitating, and evaluating experiential learning (EL) in post-secondary education. The resource also gives answers to EL-related questions commonly asked by faculty, academic leaders, and community or industry partners. This project is a collaboration between Niagara College Canada, Georgian College, and Brock University.
WEIGH IN
Great reads to repost or share and interesting discussions to consider
Great to Share >>
- Three ways students are saving money on textbooks | The Rolla Daily News
- Open Your Mind to Open Education Resources | Amanda Hadlock
Interesting to Consider >>
- Expanding the Scope: Illustrating the Impact of OER | SPARC
- Opinion | Expand the use of OERs | The Pitt News
- Student leaders seek DOJ intervention in textbook company merger | The Collegian
- Advocates Warn About a Potential ‘Facebook of Higher Education’ with Mcgraw-Hill Cengage Merger | eLearningInside
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The OER Digest is a public newsletter distributed to a broad group of stakeholders across the higher education community. You can join the open Google Group or check out the distribution list here.