Open Textbook Initiative
Open Textbook Initiative
Supported by: Millersville’s OER Working Group, Center for Academic Excellence, Provost Innovation Funds
Overview
As the cost of education continues to rise, faculty can help offset the increasing costs by adopting quality Open Educational Resource (OER) textbooks and materials. At the University of Georgia, the use of open educational resources for courses has been shown to both increase course grades (+8.6%) and decrease DFW rates (-2.7%). This Open Textbook Initiative works with Millersville University faculty to facilitate integration of open textbooks and to develop pedagogically effective practices.
The OER Working Group is pleased to announce that the Open Textbook Initiative (OTI) has been funded for open textbook adoption Fall 2020/Spring 2021. Recipients of the OTI will participate in meetings and course redesign Spring 2020 and Summer 2020, with course redesign expected Fall 2020 or Spring 2021.
Below is information on the program, deadlines, and the application questions. We welcome applications from all full time and part-time faculty at Millersville University. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the program co-chairs Nicole Pfannenstiel or Dan Albert.
The official application can be accessed at https://millersville.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bsE9tAolE0Eyxql.
Dr. A Nicole Pfannenstiel, English
ambernicole.pfannenstiel@millersville.edu
Dr. Dan Albert, Chemistry
Description of Program
The Open Textbook Initiative provides a one-time professional development award to instructors who (1) participate in a semester long program CLC program learning about OER, (2) work with a mentor to redevelop a course using open textbooks. The program includes:
- attendance at CLC workshops during Spring 2020,
- meeting with the OER mentor during Spring/Summer 2020,
- adoption of open textbooks in ONE or more courses Fall 2020/Spring 2021,
- and a presentation sharing results of the redevelopment Spring 2021.
Participating faculty agree to examine the impact of open textbook adoption on student success, including unit assessments, course grades, etc.
Timeline
Deadline for applications: Friday December 6th, 2019
Notified by OER Selection Committee by Friday December 13th, 2019
Co-Chaired by Drs. Dan Albert and Nicole Pfannenstiel
Start of program – February 2020
Workshop dates - OER Week March 2nd-March 6th, 2020 (online)
- CLC Meeting dates: TBD Spring 2020
- Workshop will include discussions of fair use to ensure open adoptions follow fair use guidelines
- Mentor meeting dates: individual by faculty member
Awardees are required to submit a course syllabus showing open textbook/material adoption. If the syllabus doesn’t include a complete list, please send the final list to Co-Chairs Dan Albert and Nicole Pfannenstiel.
Awardee Presentations at completion of redeveloped course: Spring 2021
Open Textbook Initiative Faculty Application
1. Instructor’s Name/Contact (email and campus phone)
2. Course to be redeveloped and method of delivery (ex. ENGL 110 English Composition, face-to-face)
3. Semester course will be taught in (Fall 2020, Winter 2020, Spring 2021)
4.Typical enrollment in course per semester (ex. 100 students)
5. Number of sections typically offered by proposer
6.Number of sections of the course offered by entire department
7. Current texts and materials used (names and types of materials including digital publisher materials)
8. Cost of current texts/materials (new and used)
9.What curricular materials do you consider to be essential for textbook adoption (online HW, books that covers a specific topic, materials, etc.)
10. Project goals: In 100 words or less, explain why you’d like to adopt open textbook materials for your course.
11. Rationale for redevelopment: In 250 words or less, explain why you’ve chosen this class for open textbook adoption and what potential impacts the adoption will have on student success (especially for underrepresented populations).
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Contact Us
Coordinator: Dr. A Nicole Pfannenstiel
Phone: 717-871-4282