Adopt OER involves replacing existing textbooks or course materials with OER or zero-cost course materials without making significant changes. An example of this would be a professor transitioning to an open statistics textbook from the Open Textbook Library without modifying the content.
Adapt OER involves modifying existing OER to better suit the needs of a course. This might include revising an existing open history textbook to enhance coverage of underrepresented groups. You might adapt OER to fit local needs, such as adding local examples to an existing open textbook. For example, Megan Avery adapted the OER textbook, Talking Through Code: Python.
Here are some other examples of adapting:
Enhancing content Revising an existing open history textbook to enhance coverage of the history of underrepresented groups
Creating ancillary materials Creating openly licensed ancillary learning materials (e.g., online learning modules, lab manuals, slide decks, assessments) for use with an open psychology textbook currently assigned in a psychology course
Remixing content Revising part of current course content by adapting and remixing an existing OER to fit the class
Adding content Adding a new chapter to an existing textbook that you plan to use4.
Customizing content Making changes to improve an OER that has already been adopted based on what you learned using it the first time.
Addressing accessibility Adoptions may require small changes to the textbook such as modifications due to accessibility requirements (e.g. making content compatible with screen readers, ensuring that it follows Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) guidelines), minor text changes, or appending content
We don't have funding for creating completely new OER at this time, but we are doing a needs assessment to understand what folks might be interested in and what might be needed. For create, we are thinking examples would be:
Open textbooks Creating a new open textbook supplemented with primary source readings and newly created content. For example, Drew Loewe has created and shared two open textbooks, and co-edited a third: https://drewloewe.net/open-educational-resources
Multimedia materials Creating new audio/visual materials supplemented with primary source readings and newly created content
Comprehensive course materials Creating open textbooks, websites or modules, lesson plans, syllabi, images or video, and other types of media
I think it might be a question of degree of how much new material is created, and we would be happy to discuss further. We are hoping that we can surface interest so that we can make the pitch for funding full-scale creation from scratch.
Stipends will be paid on the following schedule depending on grant type:
Adapt or Adopt: After selection of new materials and submission of final course syllabus at the start of the semester the course is taught.
Review: After submission of open textbook review to OER repository, such as the Open Textbook Library.
Review a textbook indexed by the Open Textbook Library using the review criteria listed here: Open Textbooks Review Criteria.
Faculty will receive training in finding and using OER. CTE is offering a workshop on How to Find and Use OER scheduled for April 2, 1 -2 pm, Holy Cross 105. For those unable to attend or who already have this expertise, we can make alternative arrangements. There will also be a kick-off meeting for all grant recipients.