This past semester, we ran approximately 80 Communications classes with an OER PDF
textbook. Late in the semester, we surveyed the students about their use of and
satisfaction with the textbook and the results were, well, lackluster. The results
seemed to show that a significant number of students didn't know they were using an
OER, they just thought it was an online book. They didn't understand what an OER was
and
what they could do with it, therefore they didn't see much value. After talking to
the course coordinator, I realized that the faculty had not been given any specific
information about the OER nor were they asked to talk to the students about this new OER
textbook and how it could be used.
Lesson Learned: We can't just add this new type of learning material to a course and
assume that the students and faculty understand the value and significance of the change.
I'd like to craft some standard messaging - text, video, infographic? - that can be
included in all fall LMS course shells to make sure that students understand what they can
do with this OER. I'm wondering:
A) did anyone else have this occur in a course, where OER was introduced but the students
(and maybe faculty too) didn't recognize the significance of the change?
B) has anyone else crafted a message like this that they would be willing to share?
Cheers,
Jessica
[cid:image004.png@01D18F19.9217E950]
Jessica Norman, MLS
eLearning Librarian, Reg Erhardt Library
Liaison to: Construction, Manufacturing & Automation
Specialist in: Distance Education, Open Educational Resources
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(Office) 403.210.4073
jessica.norman@sait.ca<mailto:jessica.norman@sait.ca>
Preferred pronoun: She/Hers/Her