2023 CELT Teaching Briefs

Spotlight on Faculty OER Trailblazers

This year, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) partnered with the University Library and accepted proposals for teaching briefs to showcase the implementation of open educational practices into teaching and learning through the use and/or creation of open educational resources (OER) at Iowa State University.

Instructors at Iowa State are using OER in many different ways – by replacing traditional textbook readings, supplementing study materials, and creating new OER tailored to their teaching style. The 2023 CELT Teaching Briefs highlight some of these uses:

Expanding Access to Impactful Instructional Materials on Research Writing for Graduate Students

Sarah Huffman, PhD, Program Specialist

Graduate College, Iowa State University of Science and Technology

Building Student Engagement in a Condensed Spring Course

David E. Starling, D.V.M, Associate Teaching Professor

College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University of Science and Technology

Open Education Evolves at Iowa State

The use of OER at Iowa State University has saved our students $2.5 million since 2018, with over 3,000 students each year benefiting from the use of no-cost course materials that they can continue to use for the rest of their college careers.

In addition to saving students money, the openness of OER also gives instructors the ability to adapt their instructional materials to meet the needs of their individual courses, collaborate with peers worldwide, and ensure that the resources they use are accurate and up-to-date.

Open textbooks may not be the right choice for every class; sometimes, a specific book, film, or software may be necessary to meet your needs. It helps to remember that OER come in many shapes and sizes, and you can adopt some OER into a course without jumping in completely.

OER Resources

• Locate OER for a course through a personal consultation.
• Develop and publish OER textbooks.
• Apply for funding to use or create OER in a course.

Work with an OER expert today to learn more about the options available for your course and what combination of low- and no-cost materials makes the most sense to support your students. We also provide training, workshops, and other support for individuals and groups interested in open education. Learn more here.

Questions?

Contact Abbey Elder, Open Access and Scholarly Communication Librarian

204 Parks Library, 515-294-5753, aelder@iastate.edu

CELT is facilitating the ISU Annual Student-Centered Workshop (AY23-24) for those faculty who were unable to attend their department’s program:

• May 3, 11 a.m. – Noon
• May 8, 2 – 3 p.m.

The resource for the facilitated program is available in the prework; view the AY23-24 Handout (PDF). Review the Annual Workshop (AY23-24) webpage or email celt@iastate.edu if you have questions.

Launching in Fall 2024 is Immediate Access ONE, which will provide all undergraduate students a predictable cost of $259 per semester to cover all of their textbooks (both digital and print). By the first day of classes of every semester, students will continue to access their digital materials in Canvas, and any print materials that are required will be picked up at the ISU Book Store textbook counter (i.e., Lab manual, course packet, traditional print book, etc.). It’s one program, one price, and day-one access. This is not a mandatory fee – it is a textbook charge. Students can choose to opt out for a refund of the $259 (by the 10th day of class – inside Canvas) and then purchase their materials on their own.

ISU Bookstore has built out a FAQ on their website for both students and faculty.

Important Information

CONTACT US HERE



• celt-help@iastate.edu for submitting a ticket for assistance
• iowastateonline@iastate.edu for Iowa State Online inquiries
• celt@iastate.edu for general inquiries
• testcenterhelp@iastate.edu for testing center inquiries

24/7 Canvas Support

As always, Canvas support is available 24/7 for assistance while our offices are closed. Follow the "? Help" icon in your left navigation bar in Canvas for all the support options available.

View a print version of the CELT Teaching Tip as a pdf.

Stay connected by visiting our CELT website.