Creating an OER Course to Enhance Student Learning Kipp Snow Brandi Ulrich Anne Arundel Community College

Attendees to this session will: Gain an understanding of what an OER is Identify the challenges that exist in creating similar courses Learn how to implement similar strategies in traditional online and face-to-face courses

What are OERs? What are Open Educational Resources (OER)? Open Education "...is the simple and powerful idea that the world’s knowledge is a public good and that technology in general and the Worldwide Web in particular provide an extraordinary opportunity for everyone to share, use, and reuse knowledge." —The William and Flora Hewlett FoundationThe William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Why OER? Textbook costs increasing Curriculum changes daily To Improve student success in learning Content built into modules with intermittent activities designed to provide authentic assessment High level of student to instructor engagement More flexibility in content delivery and take students needs into greater consideration

Why Implement in a F2F OER courses are typically implemented in the online environment Final goal is to implement in an online environment F2F implementation allows for Students to participate in a dynamic, synergistic learning environment Increases student engagement Systematic process in the instruction design

Course Implementation Course was modularly based with learning objectives for each module aligned with course objectives Course was team taught with each instructor showcasing their expertise in the curriculum Used a version of the Flipped Classroom model

Flipped Classroom Model Flipped Classrooms swap traditional lecture and homework components in a classroom. Students read or watch the lecture based material as homework and complete in class activities.

Our class – Business and Its Enviornment BPA 111, T/Th, 12:30 – 1:45

Demographics

Identify Student Preferences and Perceptions What do you think the percentages of students would rather read text of the course material, watch a video of the course material, or a combination of both?

Pre-Course Survey

Positive comments: – Textbook costs – Easier / Ideal – Interested in the concept Negative: – Rather have book – Harder to take notes – Hassle to use technology

Pre-Course Survey Course Based: – Structure – Student/Instructor communication – Course content – Material availability – Online Component Personally Based: – Time management – HS to College transition – Personal Learning styles

Resources Used OER Textbooks Government Publications YouTube Videos Connexions Materials from AACC Library Databases Other Web Sources Education Portal OER Courses Business Journals College/University Publications

Challenges and Rewards Challenges Lack of published information on OER in f2f Finding suitable, credible resources Formatting/appearance of resources Student mindset Rewards Flexibility of curriculum High levels of student success

Challenge - Resources Amount of resources available Finding exactly what you want Can you use it? Can you edit it? Will it work with the other materials?

Challenge - Resources

Challenge – Student Mindset Constructive feedback centered on non-traditional formats “I needed a textbook to function in class” “Online stuff was hard to understand and remember” “I probably would have preferred a textbook as well as the internet readings.” “I did not like having to read online. I am better when I have the physical material.”

Rewards -Flexibility of Curriculum Ability to adapt the course to meet departmental course learning objectives Ability to include up-to-the-minute current events Ability to see deficiencies in student learning and provide supplemental activities or content to support content mastery

Rewards - Grades

Rewards - Grade Comparison

Rewards - Post-Course Survey

Rewards – Student Feedback Positive feedback supported the use of in-class discussions, real-life examples, module presentations, and lectures “I liked getting to reflect on the course material with my classmates….” “Assignments made me have to think like a business owner….” “Class discussions were very beneficial because we not only learned the material, but we talked about real life situations and how we could use that material.” “Not having a book allowed for an open and more conscious class setting. Rather than having discussions on previous material we use the time to discuss new methods of productivity” “He posted articles and readings … which really helped with taking notes.”

Opportunities for Course Enhancement Begin course with more information about OER and technology requirements Consistency is key Accessible information Incorporate ways to encourage reading/pre-class preparations Include relevant industry related information

Activity – Roundtable Discussion List potential obstacles that may exist in your own (institution, classroom, etc.) for implementation List pros and cons of using an OER textbook or multiple resources What courses do you teach that is conducive to OER? What are pros and cons of building it?

Questions?? Kipp Snow Brandi Ulrich