OER Adaptation Grants for U of T Instructors

University of Toronto Libraries Launches OER Adaptation Grant for 2019-2020

Instructors interested in adapting and using an open textbook for a course are eligible 

Apply here to be considered. Read the Application Guidelines here.

 

 

OERs are “any type of educational materials that are in the public domain or introduced with an open license. The nature of these open materials means that anyone can legally and freely copy, use, adapt and re-share them. OERs range from textbooks to curricula, syllabi, lecture notes, assignments, tests, projects, audio, video and animation.” (UNESCO) 

The grant program will provide three grants of $3000.00 each to instructors to support the work involved in finding and adapting existing open textbooks or other open materials for a University of Toronto course, as well as the work involved in revising course content or ancillary materials as a result of the incorporation of new open resources.  

The University of Toronto Libraries is pleased to announce this grant program aimed at encouraging the use of open textbooks and open educational resources (OER) at the University of Toronto.  In partnership with the Online Learning Strategies and Academic and Collaborative Technologies units of ITS, UTL invites proposals that will result in the use of OERs in University of Toronto courses. 

Why adapt an OER?  

An existing OER may be adapted to address a particular teaching or learning style, to add more links to its existing media or sources, or to add materials contributed by students or suggested by students, among many other purposes. In Reasons to Adapt an Open Textbook, Lauri M. Aesoph describes these and other possible benefits to adjusting an existing open resource to fit your curriculum.  The nature of an adaptation depends on the needs of the adapter and their students. 

Grant Objectives

  • To encourage the development of innovative alternatives to traditional textbooks via the adoption and adaptation of Open Educational Resources by University of Toronto courses  

  • To support instructors with funding and support in implementing these approaches  

  • To align with eCampusOntario’s provincial strategy to “lead through open and collaborative practices”

Grant Details

The program offers the awarding of three grants of up to $3,000.00 each for OER adaptation projects.  

Applications will be considered according to the following criteria: 

  • Potential to positively impact students; number of students impacted  

  • Feasibility and readiness 

  • Requirement that resource meets compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)  

  • Requirement that resource be made available in the eCampusOntario Open Library  

  • Requirement that grantees participate in end-of-grant community of practice gathering 

Application

Before applying, please consult the OER Adaptation Grant Application Guidelines. The application deadline is June 14, 2019, and applicant will be notified of the status of their application by June 30, 2019.

Need help planning your application? UTL will be holding a webinar information session at 11:00am on Friday, June 7th, 2019. Join the webinar here: https://zoom.us/j/843172192

Apply here