Wendy Simms - Education

1) What drove you to make the decision to switch to OERs?

First and foremost the cost of some traditional textbooks was getting outrageous. I didn't think it was fair to ask students to pay that much money for a resource that would probably be out of date by the time they graduated and one that I would not be anchored to. I love the flexibility that OERs offer as they help me mix and match resources so I can keep the course current and be responsive to student interest and needs. An important example for me, as a non-indigenous educator, is that I have found authentic local OERs to support me in honouring Indigenous perspectives in my courses.

2) What was the biggest hurdle you overcame?

Some students can easily get overwhelmed if there are too many platforms or inputs to navigate (I am this way so I understand!). I found it was important to house everything in our learning management system (VIULearn) in a clear and consistent format so they always knew where to start and what was expected of them.

***Note: a hurdle which I am not sure has been overcome (yet) was that I had formally adopted a textbook that was available in pdf format for a much lower price on the website but it was not listed as on option on the VIU bookstore website.

3) Where did you find the most support?

Students were immediately thankful they did not have to buy a $150+ textbook. I also had many individual students inform me that a specific OER had resonated with them or had been especially helpful to their understanding of a difficult concept. This reaffirmed for me that a variety of OERs was more likely to meet the diverse needs of the class.

4) Do you have any further thoughts about OERs since making the switch?

In all of my courses, whether it is focussed on science, leadership, research, or sustainability, I emphasize the need to consider different perspectives or worldviews. Using OERs to support teaching and learning is one way that I can actively ensure different perspectives are represented. I feel that this creates a more inclusive learning environment, one where multiple perspectives are visible and valued.