Affordable, Simple to Adopt, and Better for Learning: OER Courseware that Just Works

Open educational resources (OER) can have a dramatic, immediate impact on textbook affordability and access. But to make OER initiatives truly successful, two other ingredients are essential:

1. Helpful supports for faculty to ease the process of course redesign and the transition to OER
2. Well-designed instructional materials that engage students and effectively support learning

The session begins by discussing key concerns and obstacles faculty members face as they explore affordable OER alternatives to replace expensive textbooks. Learn how the Lumen team helps institutions address these obstacles by creating well-designed, outcome-aligned OER course materials with test banks, PowerPoint slides, assignments, discussion forums, pacing recommendations, and other supplemental materials. Hear how these tools help faculty members feel well-supported through a smooth transition to teaching with OER content.

The focus then shifts to students and the problems they often encounter in digital learning environments. Many students are underprepared academically, often with underdeveloped study skills. Learn how Waymaker OER courseware is applying learning science research to develop interventions that personalize learning, nudge towards better learning behaviors, and help students become more self-directed learners. See how learning data can be used to pinpoint OER content that isn’t effective at supporting learning, and try out improvements that redesign OER content to be more interactive and engaging with learning by doing.

This session features a show-and-tell walkthrough of OER courseware from the perspectives of faculty and students, demonstrating how it works seamlessly inside the learning management system to strengthen learning by blending intelligent messaging with ready-to-adopt OER content. Bring a device to do your own hands-on exploring. Get a feel for how OER courseware can save time for faculty and deliver a richer, more effective learning experience for students in many general education courses.

Flex Credit

Flex credit is available for this event. Event Code 210805.

Audience

Faculty and Managers

Presenters

• Brandon Lafrate
  Lumen Learning
• Julie Jack
  Lumen Learning

ADA Accessibility

For ADA accessibility accommodations, please contact David Lockwood at LockwoD@scc.losrios.edu. Contact David for disability accommodations only. For general inquiries, please use the contact information listed above.