Download - Educational Developers as Open Textbook Reps
HEATHER M. ROSS & RYAN BANOWUNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
OPEN EDUCATION CONFERENCE – NOVEMBER 19 , 2015
Educational Developers as Open Textbook Reps
“So far with a few exceptions, the only good way to get widespread adoption of curricular materials still seems to be to hire an army of sales reps to go knock on faculty doors. It is unclear when or how this will change.” - Feldstein, 2014
Textbook Reps
Free printed copies of texts for instructorsCustomizationAncillary resourcesFree lunches and pens
Ed Developers
Work with instructors and departments on:Curriculum developmentCourse DesignOther aspects of teaching and learning
The Conflict
Rising textbook costsVs.
What textbook reps offer instructors
The Context
University of Saskatchewan
21,001 students (16,871 undergrad)
1,180 instructors
MOU
British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan2013What is says:
“Facilitate cooperation between participants in the sharing and development of Open Education Resources
Identify, share and encourage the use of best practices in Open Education Resources among the Participants; and
Through the best use of technology for students, faculty and administrators, foster greater collaboration and understanding of key issues and trends in Open Education Resources between and among post-secondary institutions in the Participants’ jurisdictions.”
First Adoption
Winter 2015Principles of Economics (OpenStax)Agriculture and Bioresource270 studentsOut of the box
Biology
Attended session from textbook repFloated idea of open textbook through
passing conversation and emails with course coordinator
Gave presentation to instructors a few months later
Barrier – time to do an adaptation
Economics
Principles of EconomicsMet with department headMet with department head and sessionalBarriers:
not enough questions in test bank time needed to create new slides But …
Economics
Department head adopts for own coursesFall 201590 students
Chemistry
Librarian introduced ideaAnalytical Chemistry 2.0 (Chem Wiki)Adoption for 2015-2016120 students
School of Business
Adoption for Fall 2015360 studentsAdapting Study Skills (Open Textbook
Library)
Geology
Chapter authoredSessional instructorPhysical Geology (Bccampus)Fall 2015
Additional Barriers
Time (to find, adapt, create ancillary)Lack of knowledge about OERLack of ancillary resources for some titlesInstructors as authors of commercial textsStudents prefer print?
What’s Working
Mention open textbooks options at every chance Promote Mentions at other workshops Pitch to individual instructors
Present Workshops on OER To committees
What’s Working
Support Offer ongoing support Speak with policy makers about needed changes
Print-on-demand optionUnlimited free digital copies of books for
everyone!
Moving Forward
Funding Application process being established Emphasis on adaptation and ancillary
Communications plan To announce funding and adoptions Get message out about textbook reviewing through
BCcampus On campus and local media
Moving Forward
Continue with what’s workingLook for opportunities for collaborationBuild on success – adopters as champions
OPEN.USASK.CA
Questions and Comments