Learn About Open Textbooks: May 1 is OER Day at the UA

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Learn About Open Textbooks: May 1 is OER Day at the UA

University Libraries
April 23, 2015

The University Libraries are inviting two experts on open educational resources (OER) to campus. Open educational resources are academic materials that can be freely copied, printed, used, adapted, and reshared. David Ernst, creator of the University of Minnesota’s Open Textbook Library, and Sarah Cohen, Managing Director of the Open Textbook Network, will lead three open sessions plus a faculty workshop on Friday, May 1.

Did You Know...
• The high cost of some course materials can impede students’ academic success.
• The College Board estimates that the average undergraduate can expect to pay $1,225 for textbooks and supplies in 2014–15.
• The cost of textbooks is rising at a rate of 4 times inflation.
• Seven out of 10 students don’t purchase a required textbook during their academic career because of cost.
• 60% of students have delayed purchasing textbooks until they’ve received their financial aid.

Open Textbooks
Open textbooks can help alleviate the burden of textbook costs for students and provide faculty with content that can be customized for their course. Open textbooks are full, real textbooks, used by many faculty across the country, and licensed to be freely used, edited, and distributed.

OER Day at the UA
Friday, May 1
Main Library A313/314

9:30-11 am: We’ll discuss how to foster campus collaborations on open educational resource projects at the University of Arizona. We’ll also talk about possible barriers to using OER.

11:30 am-1:30 pm: Open Textbook Adoption workshop (for UA faculty). Are you an instructor who’s concerned about the impact of high textbook costs on your students? Explore possible open textbook solutions by attending this two-hour workshop and writing a short textbook review. Receive a $200 stipend for your efforts! Seating for this workshop is limited. Apply online by Friday, April 24.

1:45-3:15 pm: We’ll discuss how liaison librarians can support faculty adoptions of open educational resources.

3:30-5 pm: David Ernst, who has a Ph.D. in Learning Technology, will lead a discussion about instructional design and open educational resources.

To RSVP for the 9:30, 1:45, or 3:30 sessions, email Cheryl Cuillier, the library’s OER coordinator, at ccuillie@email.arizona.edu. Learn more about OER by visiting the UA’s OER website.

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