Presentation
BEHIND THE SCENES: The Sustainability of OER Initiatives at Small, Private Institutions
Open Educational Conference 2018
(2018)
Abstract
“MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS”
FADE IN: EXT. UNIVERSITY QUAD -- DECEMBER (2014)
We see JANE, our young energetic academic librarian, walking across the quad with excitement in her step. She is holding a piece of paper where the words "OER Pilot" can be discerned underneath a stamped, green check-mark. She has just received money from the PROVOST for a pilot project to engage faculty in OER development at her university.
CUT TO: INT. UNIVERSITY LIBRARY -- MARCH (2018)
We see our beloved JANE, a frazzled look on her face amidst piles of paper and open books. She is simultaneously attempting to prep for her next class, respond to faculty requests for book purchases, find an article for a student, and chug her second coffee of the morning. We hear a soft KNOCK on the door and see one of Jane’s OER FACULTY beaming from ear-to-ear.
OER FACULTY
Hi, Jane! I have some questions on OER I was hoping you could help answer for my mini-grant obligations. I’m so excited to get started on this project!
JANE (smiling, but flustered)
Kevin, hello! Of course, take a seat. Let me just wrap up this email, and I’ll be right with you...
Jane hits save on an email draft confirming the purchase of a new theater database, while simultaneously taking a deep breath to focus her attention on best supporting this not-so-new-anymore OER initiative at her university. Can she do it?
FADE OUT.
THE END?
At OER conferences we often hear exciting narratives of community colleges pushing for a Z Degree or state institutions receiving government funding and training resources to drive student savings. However, at smaller, private institutions, librarians like our leading lady may have initially found support in obtaining funding from the administration to kick-start an OER pilot program, but how do OER advocates like Jane meaningfully move forward to create a cultural shift on campus? How does she do that with limited staff available to lead the charge? How do small institutions cope with OER program sustainability after initial success? Come join the discussion as our three panelists from smaller, private institutions from across the United States spark a dialogue with each other and the audience on how we can make the transition from pilot to permanent OER programs on our campuses.
Keywords
- Open Educational Resources,
- OER,
- Higher Education Institutions,
- Universities and Colleges,
- Students,
- Textbooks,
- Librarians,
- Library staff
Disciplines
Publication Date
October 12, 2018
Location
Niagara Falls, New York
Citation Information
Michele Gibney, Jonathan Bull and Lindsey Gumb. "BEHIND THE SCENES: The Sustainability of OER Initiatives at Small, Private Institutions" Open Educational Conference 2018 (2018) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michele_gibney/84/
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC_BY International License.