Advancing an Ecosystem for Open Educational Resources: OER in Texas Higher Education

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This report presents the results of a biennial independent survey done by the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME) commissioned by the Digital Higher Education Consortium of Texas (DigiTex), in collaboration with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), to examine the landscape of Open Educational Resources (OER) programs, policies, and practices at higher education institutions in Texas.

Material Type: Reading

Authors: Amee Godwin, Anastasia Karaglani, Cynthia Jimes, Judith Sebesta, Kylah Torre, Michelle Singh, Ursula Pike

Open Educational Resources (OER) in Texas Higher Education, 2019

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This report is based on an independent survey commissioned in 2019 by the Digital Higher Education Consortium of Texas (DigiTex), in collaboration with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME).

Material Type: Reading

Authors: Anastasia Karaglani, Cynthia Jimes, Jose Rios, Judith Sebesta, Kylah Torre, Lisa Petrides

A Scan of Open Educational Resources (OER) Materials in High-Impact Higher Education Courses in Texas

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This report shares the results of an OER Gap Analysis completed by the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME) for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The analysis identified free, openly licensed full courses and textbooks for 25 highly transferable, high-enrollment courses required for two-year or four-year degree paths in high-wage/high-demand fields. Most courses selected for the scan are also Texas Core Curriculum courses. Texas high-wage/high-demand fields were identified using data from the Texas Workforce Commission and included nursing, business, accounting, computer science, engineering, and health administration. The following courses needed for multiple degree paths in these fields were selected for the scan:Science: Anatomy and Physiology I and II; Biology I; Chemistry I; Physics IMath: College Algebra; Elementary Statistical Methods; Pre-Calculus; Calculus I; Calculus IISocial Sciences: Texas Government; Federal Government; General Psychology; Introduction to Sociology; Principles of Macroeconomics, Principles of MicroeconomicsHumanities: US History I and II; Introduction to Ethics; Introduction to Philosophy; Public Speaking; Composition I; Composition IIBusiness: Business Computer Applications; Principles of Finance

Material Type: Reading

Author: Kylah Torre

Texas Open Educational Resources (OER) Regional Needs Analysis

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This report presents the findings of a research study, funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and conducted by the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME), aiming to identify the characteristics, challenges, and needed supports of institutions with low engagement with Open Educational Resources (OER); explore which higher education regions in Texas need additional support with OER; and investigate factors that promote and hinder OER advancement in institutions that are relatively early in on their journey with OER. Utilizing the 2019 and 2021 OER Landscape Survey data and drawing from interviews with nine administrators across five higher education institutions, the report concludes with recommendations for advancing OER in Texas and beyond.

Material Type: Reading

Author: Kylah Torre

From Affordability to Strategic Success: The Progression of OER in Texas Higher Education

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This report presents the results from the third biennial Texas OER Landscape Survey, administered in 2023 and commissioned by the Digital Higher Education Consortium of Texas (DigiTex) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The survey aimed to explore the open educational resources (OER) landscape, policies, and practices at 169 higher education institutions, including 11 health-related institutions, across the state. The 2023 Texas OER Landscape Survey revealed an OER landscape marked by institutional commitment, diverse adoption goals, and the instrumental role of OER champions on campus. This report not only highlights areas for improvement but also underscores the necessity of ongoing collaboration and faculty support. The trajectory observed in OER adoption is institutionally driven, placing a growing emphasis on student learning impacts and resource quality alongside financial considerations. As librarians and other key stakeholders play pivotal roles, the landscape unfolds organically, showcasing the self-sufficiency of institutions in advancing OER use and development to reach their goals for student success.

Material Type: Reading

Authors: Anastasia Karaglani, Carrie Gits, Chip Hatcher, Cynthia Jimes, Elizabeth Tolman, Kylah Torre, Michelle Singh

Guiding Questions for OER Institutional Needs Assessment

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This document outlines essential guiding questions for conducting a Needs Assessment focused on Open Educational Resources. While you may not have answers to all these questions right now, the intention is to encourage thoughtful reflection and collaboration, leading to a more informed and effective assessment process. The steps and guiding questions presented here are largely inspired by Chait and Wynveen’s (2022) work, Assessing Community Needs: Strategies for Charter Schools and Authorizers. WestEd.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Anastasia Karaglani