Save Money and Time with Open Education Resources! | The Teaching & Learning Centre

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Save Money and Time with Open Education Resources!
Deadline for Applications for Open Educational Resource (OER) Grants 2023-24 EXTENDED

by Michael Myers, Seneca Libraries and the Teaching & Learning Centre

Open Education Resources (OERs) are a great way to make school more economical for your students, and they can save you time! OERs by nature are built to be re-used, re-purposed, and adapted for your use, which can drastically save you time.

Not sure what they are, how to find them, or what tools you can use to build/adapt OERs? Come to our OER information session on November 9th to learn all about OERs and the Seneca support available to you.

The information session will also include information on how you can apply for the Seneca OER grants. This year, we are offering two grants: one for adapting OERs for use at Seneca and one for updating current OERs. The deadline for both of these grants has been extended till November 15th! See below for details on the OER information session and the OER grants, as well as the links to the application forms.

OER Info Session: Join us for an OER grant webinar on November 9th! Check MyPD for details and registration.

Check out an example of a successful OER project funded through the 2020 OER grants: Communication@Work.

Adaptation Grant Details

• Adaptation of an open text could include creating updated content or examples, revising a text to better suit the context of Seneca students, as well as developing multimedia, active learning modules, etc.
• Additional resources required for the project, including but not limited to, graphic design support, technical communications, and technical support are to be supplied by Schools or Programs.
• High-enrolment courses will be prioritized.
• If the OER is used in a course that is offered at multiple campuses, and/or in both day and evening/weekend programs, faculty and course administrators representing each area should be consulted before beginning the adaptation, and throughout the process.

Adaptation Timeline
The Winter 2024 and Spring 2024 terms are available to Schools or Programs to aid their faculty working on the adaptation and enhancement of an existing open text, leading to the adoption of the text into a course in Fall 2024 and beyond. The adapted components to the OER must be completed by the end of August 2024.

Revision/Maintenance Grant Details

The OER Revision/Maintenance Grant is for proposals that are revising or providing minor updates to a pre-existing OER currently being used at Seneca. For example, faculty may correct inconsistencies, update images, or revise ancillary materials such as slides, test banks, and simulations. In some cases, faculty can create ancillary materials from scratch if all parties agree that there are sufficient resources and a reasonable time frame to complete them.

Revision/Maintenance Timeline
The Winter 2024 term is available to Schools or Programs to aid their faculty working on the revision/maintenance of an existing open text, leading to the adoption of the text into a course in Fall 2024 and beyond. The enhanced components to the OER must be completed by the end of June 2024.

Eligibility

All current Schools or Programs at Seneca may apply for these grants.

Application Requirements

To meet the requirements for application, the School or Program will identify the following:

✓ A unique OER adaptation or enhancement opportunity that doesn’t exist elsewhere in the school and program.

✓ The existing OER that will be used as the starting point in the project.

• Good places to start a search include The Open Library, BCcampus OpenEd, OER Commons, and Open Oregon Educational Resources.
• For assistance with beginning a search, contact your Seneca Libraries liaison librarian.

✓ Existing supports available for the OER project’s needs, such as librarians, accessibility services, technical support for online options, and peer reviewers. OER adaptation and revision projects require a lot of support, so strengthen the application by lining this up in advance.

Criteria for Successful Applications

OER proposals will be evaluated using a rubric with the following criteria:

• A plan outlining the ways in which the text will be revised/enhanced/updated
• How the text will support achieving the learning outcomes of the course
• Inclusiveness (accessibility, equity, differentiated content)
• Supports creative teaching and assessment strategies
• Feasibility of project as proposed
• Alignment with priorities of the program, school, and Seneca Polytechnic

Deadline and Application Forms

Chairs are asked to submit the application form by November 15, 2023, at 5 p.m. Eastern. Proposals must be submitted via these links prior to the deadline.

Application Links

• OER Adaptation: Adapt a pre-existing OER for Seneca use (e.g., adapt the OER Business and Financial Mathematics from Fanshaw College for Seneca use).
• OER Revision/Maintenance: Revise a pre-existing OER that is currently being used at Seneca (e.g., make minor revisions to the OER Business Communications for Fashion by updating examples and adding information about generative artificial intelligence).

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