Envisioning OER: Exploring the Affordability Curriculum Today (ACT) Initiative at FAU
Start
1-30-2019 2:45 PM
End
1-30-2019 3:30 PM
Short Description
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) launched the Affordable Curriculum Today (Act) initiative in 2018 as a partnership between the FAU Library and Center for eLearning. This presentation will address the OER design process and how the ACT initiative expands the possibilities for distance learning. Examples of completed projects, specific documents related to the grant submission and review process will be illustrated. The presentation will reflect on lessons learned throughout this initiative and share future project directions.
Abstract
As the cost of schooling surges, institutions of higher education are seeking ways to assist students cope with the burden of purchasing textbook and other educational materials. In response to the Florida state mandate to increase the rate of textbook affordability for higher education students, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) launched the Affordable Curriculum Today (Act) initiative in Spring 2018. The ACT initiative is a partnership between the FAU libraries and the FAU Center for eLearning and has two components for assisting faculty to develop open educational resources (OER) through three levels of support for eText adoption, adaptation and authoring. Eight faculty received awards in the first ACT proposal round. Savings across a year’s enrollment for the first round of funding are projected to be significant. This presentation will discuss the steps taken in the process of developing the initiative and its impact on textbook affordability to date. This presentation is intended for online and distance education personnel seeking to develop OER programs and resources. The discussion will address the OER eText design process through the lens of distance education theory, and how the ACT initiative expands the possibilities for distance learning innovation at the higher education level. Examples of completed projects as well as specific documents related to the grant submission and review process will be shared. Lastly, the presentation will reflect on lessons learned throughout the grant submission and review process, share future directions for the initiative, and seek input from session attendees regarding OER innovation at the higher education level.
Format
Concurrent Session
Institutional level targeted
Higher Ed
Envisioning OER: Exploring the Affordability Curriculum Today (ACT) Initiative at FAU
As the cost of schooling surges, institutions of higher education are seeking ways to assist students cope with the burden of purchasing textbook and other educational materials. In response to the Florida state mandate to increase the rate of textbook affordability for higher education students, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) launched the Affordable Curriculum Today (Act) initiative in Spring 2018. The ACT initiative is a partnership between the FAU libraries and the FAU Center for eLearning and has two components for assisting faculty to develop open educational resources (OER) through three levels of support for eText adoption, adaptation and authoring. Eight faculty received awards in the first ACT proposal round. Savings across a year’s enrollment for the first round of funding are projected to be significant. This presentation will discuss the steps taken in the process of developing the initiative and its impact on textbook affordability to date. This presentation is intended for online and distance education personnel seeking to develop OER programs and resources. The discussion will address the OER eText design process through the lens of distance education theory, and how the ACT initiative expands the possibilities for distance learning innovation at the higher education level. Examples of completed projects as well as specific documents related to the grant submission and review process will be shared. Lastly, the presentation will reflect on lessons learned throughout the grant submission and review process, share future directions for the initiative, and seek input from session attendees regarding OER innovation at the higher education level.