Open Educational Resources Learning Community

Improving Equity through Open Educational Resources

This Fall 2023 learning community will support instructors interested in exploring inclusive teaching through open educational practices. Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials offered freely and under an open license, providing more equitable access to learning for all students through the elimination of textbook cost, reduction of barriers to learning, accessibility for all learners, and diversity in materials and approach. In this learning community, we will explore how OER and Open Pedagogy, the practice of engaging students in the creation of content, have the potential to empower learners and increase equity in higher education by giving voice to those from underserved and historically marginalized groups. By engaging in discussion and application of these ideas, participants will be ready to implement open educational practices into their teaching.

OUTCOMES

As a participant in this community, you will be able to:

• Describe the “5 R’s” of OER

• Describe the difference between OER and other free educational resources

• Examine the impact of OER use on student academic success

• Identify ways that OER promote educational equity and inclusion

• Choose ways to engage with Open (find, evaluate, remix, and create OER)

• Distinguish the types of Creative Commons licenses

• Discover the pedagogical advantages of Open Pedagogy

TAKEAWAYS

By the end of this program, you will leave prepared with the knowledge and skills to integrate OER in your teaching. You will leave the program with the following in your toolbox:

• Open resources to integrate into your own courses

• Repositories and resources for finding relevant OER

• Tools and criteria to evaluate OER

• An action plan for a future OER project or Open Pedagogy assignment

• Resources at UVA and beyond to support your work

• Outlets for sharing OER work

MEETING DETAILS

There will be six in-person meetings during the Fall semester, from 12:00-1:15 PM in the CTE Library. Lunch will be provided. Prior to each meeting, we will explore readings and materials related to OER topics. During our meetings, we will engage in discussion and hands-on work leading to concrete takeaways for our teaching. During the semester, the facilitators will hold regular office hours for consultation. To support your continued work on OER, we will offer opportunities to engage in a workshop and work sprints during the Spring semester.

MEETING SCHEDULE AND TOPICS

ELIGIBILITY

Participants will be any UVA colleagues interested in OER, including full-time and part-time faculty (tenured/tenure-track, AGFM), graduate students, postdocs, and staff. Participation will be limited to 12 participants. No prior experience with OER or Open Pedagogy is required.

EXPECTATIONS

Participants should expect to attend at least five of the six sessions and commit 1-2 hours to completing readings before each session to be able to engage fully in discussion and hands-on work. 

APPLICATION

Applications are still being accepted--there are a few spots left! Please email Bethany Mickel at bbm9u@virginia.edu or Emily Scida ees2n@virginia.edu with any questions.

SPONSORS

This learning community is organized with support from the UVA Library, the Center for Teaching Excellence, and A&S Learning Design & Technology. For more information, see OER @ UVA.