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Judith DeGroot Post 1

5 June 2018, 4:30 AM

Nearly New

I have been active in the development of OE in our university for about a year now. We have started a Community of Learning at our university and am motivated to expand the participation of OE with my colleagues, but I am torn.

As much as I am on board with the concept and more than willing to share my expertise in an OER, I am struggling with balancing this work with my teaching. I think we cannot overlook the importance of support for faculty to develop into the role. I think that in order for the movement to gain traction and momentum faculty cannot be expected to add development of OER to their teaching responsibilities. They need to be granted time to concentrate on exploration and development of resources. As much as I hate the phrase " off the corner of my desk" I think it has validity in the development of OE.

In my experience, discussing OE with colleagues has been met with "just another thing to do" attitude and little interest.

Susan Hyndman

Susan Hyndman Post 2 in reply to 1

5 June 2018, 8:30 PM

I share your struggle with the balance of teaching and having the time to investigate and develop OER and other teaching strategies/resources.  In conversation with my network of college professor peers we find that we 'do our best thinking' when we happen to have the gift of non-structured time for reflection and creative thought (both independently and as a cohort).  It is difficult to engage colleagues when the demands of the profession tend to foster the "just another thing to do" attitude.

Perhaps as more become familiar with OE the development of these resources will become a recognized aspect of teaching at the post-secondary level.

Jennifer Nohai-Seaman Post 3 in reply to 1

8 June 2018, 4:07 PM

You are 100% correct. My advice is to search for some grants to motivate and fund efforts.