STLHE 2016 SAPES

This session is a lightning-fast case study of the benefits, challenges, and potential of open content. Through an examination of the development, use and redevelopment of instructor-focused open educational resources (OERs), attendees will learn how educational materials can be reused, revised, remixed and redistributed.


Three recent initiatives from higher education institutions in Ontario will be highlighted; Carleton University's Certificate in Blended and Online Teaching; Brock University's Faculty Guide and Online Module, and the Ontario Western Region Colleges – Educator Development Program Online Modules. These projects aim to address what Bailie (2011), McQuiggan (2007), Randal (2008) and other authors suggest are some of the most significant barriers to the systemic growth of online and blended course offerings; unfamiliarity and unpreparedness of course instructors to teach and facilitate quality learning experiences in technology-mediated environments.


These initiatives are contributing to a growing bank of high-quality, customizable and impactful resources for faculty development. Currently published resources address the following topics: benefits and challenges of online education, online teaching skills, course planning and design, Universal Instructional Design/Universal Design for Learning, technology use, communication, assessment, content development and lesson planning, student engagement, motivation, and community building. Current development projects expands into themes ePortfolios, badges/micro-credentials, social media, use of open resources, open access publications, and the use of open data in teaching and learning.


Participants will leave the presentation with access to ready-to-use resources for personal use and/or institutional adoption, and a challenge to join in the use and creation of resources licensed for open reuse.