There is a lot happening with open educational resources (OER) at Minnesota State. Proof of that could be seen on the first day of the 2019 Spring Academic and Student Affairs Equity and Inclusion Leadership Conference, where each concurrent session had an opportunity to learn more about OER.
Attendees were welcomed at the registration table with a copy of the OER book, “Out from the Shadows of Minneapolis: Power, Pride, and Perseverance at a Northern Community College,“ which was written by students, staff, and faculty at Minneapolis College. The book is an anthology of brief memoirs, detailing the struggles and perseverance of underrepresented communities.
During the OER sessions, Minnesota State campuses shared how their libraries are leading the way in textbook affordability and OER. Conference attendees also learned about encouraging faculty OER adoption, as administrators shared insight taken from their campus-based, open textbook initiatives. There was also a session that featured a presentation on how OER initiatives align with institutional goals by creating an inclusive climate, supporting financial sustainability, and addressing completion gaps and equity and inclusion.
Deans, directors, and administrators participated in a discussion during lunch, exploring how OER can have a positive impact on campuses and how to make it happen. Kim Lynch, Senior System Director for Educational Innovations at the Minnesota State system office, spent time going over the new Z-Degree Project, which is driven by new state legislation that requires three Minnesota State campuses offer three programs with zero textbook cost by 2020.
There were many opportunities at the conference to see how Minnesota State faculty, staff, and administrators are working together on OER projects to best serve the interests of students. Find your own digital copy of “Out from the Shadows of Minneapolis,” on Opendora .
Questions? Contact Karen Pikula, karen.pikula@minnstate.edu.
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