2023 CT OER Summit

Agenda

March 6, 2023

12:00 PM - 01:00 PM - Bridging Policy and Practice Through Open Education in New England

• Michael Thomas, President, New England Board of Higher Education

The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) fosters collaboration and coordination in the development and execution of multi-state projects and programs to maximize cost savings, expand resource efficiency, promote innovation, support policy adoption and forge alignment between higher education leaders and policymakers. NEBHE launched its Open Education initiative in 2019 to assist in and build upon coordinated state strategies, enhance and promote effective policy frameworks and share best practices to ultimately accelerate the integration of Open Education and Open Education Resources into the fabric of higher education in the Northeast. NEBHE President and CEO, Michael K. Thomas, will highlight initiatives across the region that demonstrate the positive impact on student agency and academic trajectory that can be achieved when Open Education policy meets practice. 

This keynote will focus on the critical need to bridge effective OER policy and practice to support equity—and equitable outcomes—for post-secondary students. While effective OER practice, driven by visionary faculty and their collaborators, is evident at institutions of all types, state and institutional policies play a vital role in supporting and scaling effective practice. Further, policies must be informed by student and practitioner perspectives, as well as to articulate the economic, educational, and equity-related benefits that OER provides. Leadership and collaboration at all levels is required and the student voice is essential throughout. 

View Bridging Policy and Practice Through Open Education in New England recording.

1:15pm - 2:15pm - Themed Office Hours - Getting Started with OER

• Zach Calybaugh, Student Success Librarian, University of Connecticut 

• Kevin Corcoran, AVP Digital Learning, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities

Drop-in support for those just getting started with Open Education.

March 7, 2023

12:00 PM - 01:00 PM - Inclusive or Exclusive? Examining "Inclusive Access" Textbook Programs

• Nicole Allen, Director of Open Education, SPARC

In an effort to address the high cost of textbooks, campuses are considering models known as "Inclusive Access" or "Equitable Access" that add the cost of course materials to students’ tuition and fees. While the advertised benefits of these programs have been widely discussed, it is also important to examine the potential challenges and long-term implications. This talk will discuss the evolution of the “Inclusive Access" model, how this differs from other cost-saving strategies such as OER, and what campuses can do to prioritize equity and inclusion for course materials in their decisions. 

View Inclusive or Exclusive? Examining Inclusive Access Textbook Programs recording.

1:15pm - 2:15pm - Themed Office Hours - Open & Licensing

• Zach Calybaugh, Student Success Librarian, University of Connecticut 

• Aura Lippincott, Instructional Designer, Western Connecticut State University

Drop-in support for those with questions about copyright and Creative Commons attribution.

March 8, 2023

12:00 PM - 01:00 PM- OER Contributions in Tenure & Promotion

• Andrew McKinney, OER Coordinator, City University of New York

In order to build sustainable college, university, system, and statewide open educational programs, faculty and staff who engage in open educational practices must feel that this work is being valued by their colleagues and their administration. This is often done monetarily in the form of stipends, but many institutions do not have the budget and many faculty are more interested in compensation in the form of time than they are in money. . One way to approach this problem is through the reappointment, promotion, and tenure process. If open education work is valued in terms of job security and mobility, then many faculty complaints as to the feasibility of open education work fall away. Starting the process of getting open education valued in this process will look different at every institution as change management techniques must respond to individual context.The work of the DOERS3 Capacity Building Working Group on this topic over the last three years has proven that this is a conversation that many want to have but don’t feel they have the skills or tools required to start. This presentation will be an overview of the work that DOERS3 and its members have done to help faculty, staff, and administrators begin conversations that can make open education work valued and sustainable. 

View OER Contributions in Tenure & Promotion recording.

1:15pm - 2:15pm - Themed Office Hours - OER & Accessibility

• Aura Lippincott, Instructional Designer, Western Connecticut State University

• Elisabeth Morel, Instructional Designer, Western Connecticut State University

Drop-in support for those with questions regarding digital accessibility of OER.

March 9, 2023

12:00 PM - 01:00 PM - 2022 CT OER Grantee Spotlight

• Leon Brin, Southern Connecticut State University

• Alan Bruce, Quinnipiac University

• Katie Hall, University of Connecticut

• Beth Johnson, Post University (Moderator)

2022 CT OER Grant Program awardees share their work and lessons learned during the grant process.

View 2022 CT OER Grantee Spotlight recording.

1:15pm - 2:15pm - Themed Office Hours - Open Pedagogy

• Ariela McCaffrey, Asst Director of Research Support, Instruction & Outreach, Connecticut College

Drop-in support for those with questions regarding the implementation of Open Pedagogy or OER-Enabled Pedagogy practices.

March 10, 2023

12:00 PM - 01:00 PM - The OER Advocate Toolkit: The Dos and Don’ts from one Advocate’s Perspective

• Jillian Maynard, Reference & Instruction Librarian, Central Connecticut State University 

OER Advocacy can be hard work. Oftentimes advocates are beginning initiatives on their own, or with a small group of other professionals. They may lack without time and resources, but have an abundance of passion. Passion is needed, but passion alone is not enough. In this session, attendees will hear some tips and tricks from a librarian who’s had experience with OER Advocacy for the past 5 years, and has learned some important lessons along the way. Attendees will walk away with ideas for communicating, collaborating, and managing their initiatives while also taking steps to avoid burnout. A list of resources and other avenues for discussion will also be shared. 

View The OER Advocate Toolkit: The Dos and Don'ts from one Advocate's Perspective recording.

1:15pm - 2:15pm - Themed Office Hours - Leadership & OER

• David Ferreira, Provost, Charter Oak State College 

• Kevin Corcoran, AVP Digital Learning, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities

Academic leaders (provosts, deans, department chairs), come learn about Open Education and how to support the growth of OER adoption and creation at your institution. This hybrid session will include a brief overview presentation along with ample time for discussion.