HEATHER M. ROSS & RYAN BANOWUNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN

OPEN EDUCATION CONFERENCE – NOVEMBER 19 , 2015

Educational Developers as Open Textbook Reps

“So far with a few exceptions, the only good way to get widespread adoption of curricular materials still seems to be to hire an army of sales reps to go knock on faculty doors. It is unclear when or how this will change.” - Feldstein, 2014

Textbook Reps

Free printed copies of texts for instructorsCustomizationAncillary resourcesFree lunches and pens

Ed Developers

Work with instructors and departments on:Curriculum developmentCourse DesignOther aspects of teaching and learning

The Conflict

Rising textbook costsVs.

What textbook reps offer instructors

The Context

University of Saskatchewan

21,001 students (16,871 undergrad)

1,180 instructors

MOU

British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan2013What is says:

“Facilitate cooperation between participants in the sharing and development of Open Education Resources

Identify, share and encourage the use of best practices in Open Education Resources among the Participants; and

Through the best use of technology for students, faculty and administrators, foster greater collaboration and understanding of key issues and trends in Open Education Resources between and among post-secondary institutions in the Participants’ jurisdictions.”

First Adoption

Winter 2015Principles of Economics (OpenStax)Agriculture and Bioresource270 studentsOut of the box

Biology

Attended session from textbook repFloated idea of open textbook through

passing conversation and emails with course coordinator

Gave presentation to instructors a few months later

Barrier – time to do an adaptation

Economics

Principles of EconomicsMet with department headMet with department head and sessionalBarriers:

not enough questions in test bank time needed to create new slides But …

Economics

Department head adopts for own coursesFall 201590 students

Chemistry

Librarian introduced ideaAnalytical Chemistry 2.0 (Chem Wiki)Adoption for 2015-2016120 students

School of Business

Adoption for Fall 2015360 studentsAdapting Study Skills (Open Textbook

Library)

Geology

Chapter authoredSessional instructorPhysical Geology (Bccampus)Fall 2015

Additional Barriers

Time (to find, adapt, create ancillary)Lack of knowledge about OERLack of ancillary resources for some titlesInstructors as authors of commercial textsStudents prefer print?

What’s Working

Mention open textbooks options at every chance Promote Mentions at other workshops Pitch to individual instructors

Present Workshops on OER To committees

What’s Working

Support Offer ongoing support Speak with policy makers about needed changes

Print-on-demand optionUnlimited free digital copies of books for

everyone!

Moving Forward

Funding Application process being established Emphasis on adaptation and ancillary

Communications plan To announce funding and adoptions Get message out about textbook reviewing through

BCcampus On campus and local media

Moving Forward

Continue with what’s workingLook for opportunities for collaborationBuild on success – adopters as champions

OPEN.USASK.CA

Questions and Comments