This session explores a structured professional development approach designed to enhance Open Educational Resources (OER) implementation in higher education. It focuses on a model developed by Achieving the Dream, The Tennessee Board of Regents, and SRI Education, featuring a Summer Institute and a facilitated Community of Practice. This initiative supports faculty new to OER by pairing them with OER champions, fostering a collaborative environment for sustainable course design and teaching innovations while also providing sustained support throughout the lifecycle of their projects.
Attendees of this session will be able to:- Understand the structure and benefits of a Summer Institute as a professional development model for implementing OER in higher education settings.
- Recognize the role of experienced OER champions in mentoring faculty new to OER and how this can enhance the adoption and integration of open resources.
- Identify effective strategies for sustaining a Community of Practice to support ongoing development and problem-solving among faculty implementing OER.
- Gain insights into overcoming common challenges in OER course design through collaborative learning and peer support.
- Apply lessons learned from case studies and peer experiences to plan and execute OER initiatives within their own institutions.
