Piggy-Backing Your Way to OER Growth in Higher Education

Session Title: Piggy-Backing Your Way to OER Growth in Higher Education

Presenters: Sunnie Kim, Creative Technologies Strategist, Michigan State University
Karen Vignare, Director of Customer Experience, MSUglobal, Michigan State University
Brendan Guenther, Director, Virtual University Design and Technology, Michigan State University
Gwyn Heyboer, Senior Instructional Designer, MSUglobal, Michigan State University

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Time & Date: 10:15 A.M. - 11:00 A.M., Friday, August 14, 2009

Location: Rm. C180

Session Description: As the days of grant funding for specifically OER-centered projects begin diminishing, Michigan State University (MSU) is taking a different and hopefully more sustainable route to OER growth through the systemic integration of OER creation into existing processes and proposals. Instead of seeking separate, sole funding for OER projects, we are working with colleges and departments across campus to integrate an OER component into existing grant proposals. By writing in costs for OER creation and technical support for their research and projects, funding for OER is from a more stable source. The production of OER as an outcome is appealing to faculty seeking funding, especially as more and more funders are requiring open and shareable deliverables.

MSUglobal is a unit at Michigan State University that spearheads the campus’ OER initiatives. It supports this approach by raising awareness among the faculty and administrators about the OER movement and its importance and benefits. MSUglobal provides guidance, language, models, technology solutions, and strategic plans to help units add an OER component to their grant proposals. Currently we are working with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Food Safety, College of Human Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as several other departments and units to help them integrate OER into their programs and proposals. By not only working with faculty but at the dean and provost level as well, there are more opportunities for implementing a systemic approach to OER.

MSU has now reached an implementation phase and is focusing its efforts on finding best technologies to support multiple OER projects. MSUglobal has partnered with another department on campus, Virtual University Design and Technology (vuDAT), to come up with a sustainable technology support plan. In this partnership, MSUglobal’s role is that of a change agent or catalyst in the process of raising awareness of OER as well as coming up with innovative ideas to move initiatives forward. MSUglobal is the face of the OER effort and the visible actor in faculty engagement. vuDAT’s role involves the facilitation, production, and implementation of the technical aspects of the projects. A high priority is placed on not just a publishing platform but on providing spaces for social networking, robust search, collaboration, and effective dissemination. The partnership between MSUglobal and vuDAT allows for a free flow of ideas and the connection between the technical and the on-the-ground use. It also provides a deep support system for campus partners who are involved in OER initiatives.

MSU’s approach of integrating an OER component into existing projects and proposals as well as providing support through MSUglobal and vuDAT provides a sustainable solution that will help OER initiatives continue to grow and expand.