Take Back Control: Using OERs to Boost Faculty Autonomy & Student Engagement

• In Event: TLC at APSA: Thinking Outside the Box to Increase Student Engagement

Abstract

How effective are Open Education Resource (OERs) materials in a Political Science classroom? This project focuses on promoting autonomy in teaching among faculty and to encourage self-guided learning among students using online interactive technology. Our project aims to create high quality OERs openly available in addition to further development of quality online courses. OERs are an effective way of sharing faculty expertise and excellence beyond the home campus through a low-cost medium that is accessible to all students. OER customizability allows instructors to pick and choose what is relevant and essential to student learning while increasing the quality of instruction and faculty autonomy. To date, we have created and launched a number of OER materials for both introductory and upper-level courses, including LibGuides, modules linking theory with practice, and active-engagement lesson plans. To explore the effectiveness of the materials produced, we have developed student learning assessments using qualitative and quantitative approaches. From these measures, we have learned that OER materials have had a positive effect on student learning and their overall engagement with the course content. With the feedback received, we will continue developing digital materials to improve instructor and student experiences and build a network of collaborative faculty and exchange of expertise via the sharing of OERs.

Authors

• Kyeonghi Baek, SUNY Buffalo State

• Mehwish Sarwari, SUNY Buffalo State

• Peter R. Yacobucci, Buffalo State College