Join the OER Innovation Quest, conquer open education resources

February 12, 2021

Marissa Carl

The high cost of textbooks and course materials is one of the factors that can influence student success. This is especially relevant during the current COVID-19 and state funding crisis we find ourselves in.

Open Educational Resources, or OER, are free-to-access textbooks and other course materials that faculty can use in their courses to provide more equitable learning opportunities for students. OER have been shown to impact student performance and retention, especially for low-income and first-generation students. Implementing OER in a course or program requires imagination, creativity and innovation; yet, finding and using OER is becoming easier as faculty across the world embrace the opportunity that OER can afford through statewide initiatives, institution adoption and supportive programs for faculty.

The OER Innovation Program invites UAF faculty to participate in the OER Innovation Quest, a real-life game for UAF instructors to conquer open education resources and banish high-cost materials for students in their course. Among the many benefits is a $500 stipend.

Find more details and the application at UAF's Open Education website. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.