2023 AZ OER Conference
Collaborating to Grow Open Education Programs in Challenging Times
Overview
Archived session from the 2023 Arizona Regional OER Conference.
Session Title: Collaborating to Grow Open Education Programs in Challenging Times
This resource includes the session abstract, presenters, PPT, and recording.
Session Abstract, PPT, and Recording
Session Abstract
Community Colleges were the hardest hit sector of higher education as the pandemic spread. It exposed inequities which grew larger as the resulting healthcare, job, and housing insecurities were disproportionately experienced by communities of color and other traditionally marginalized groups. Enrollments dropped as lives were disrupted through job loss, lack of childcare, and uncertainty about ability to afford schooling or be safe attending classes. Faculty and staff struggled to support students with limited technology resources and skills.
Interest in OER and open educational practices grew as the need for more flexible, accessible, and student-centered learning became apparent. Eight rural colleges of Arizona received a Department of Education Open Textbook pilot grant which supported growing faculty interest in OER adoption. Collaborating across institutions, these colleges were able to jumpstart their programs with training and a curated OER repository. Other colleges were able to take advantage of one-time HEERF funding to grow and sustain their existing open education work.
Join CCCOER and Arizona colleges to hear how a deeper understanding of educational inequities sparked these educators and their colleges to collaboratively develop new and equitable approaches to supporting their students.
Presenters
Una Daly, CCCOER Director, OER Global
Judith Sebesta, Vice President, ISKME Labs
Andrea Schaben, Math Faculty, Yavapai College
Josie Milliken, Dean of Distance Education, Pima Community College
Eric Osborn, Life Science Faculty, Mohave Community College