Using multiple metaphors, Mary will take participants through the development of strategies and activities that BCcampus has used in our Open Education work. As an entity that exists to provide support to BC post-secondary institutions, BCcampus is operating very much within a diverse system mired by the many challenges of the current post-secondary landscape. Our positioning as system supporters who are also responsible for advancing that same system's teaching and learning practices enables us to help our constituents advance while also ensuring their basic needs are met. This focus on both current and future needs has driven our strategy on Open Textbooks and ultimately Open Education. While we have worked towards advancing other elements of Open Education besides textbooks, we think it's vital not to get too far ahead of those we are trying to help. While working on Open Pedagogy and Policy, we are also looping back to pick up faculty who are completely new to Open Education and need very basic support and guidance. Meeting people where they are is the only way we will truly make the shift to openness as the default.
This will be a presentation followed by a hopefully robust discussion of how to support those just starting out in Open Education while helping those who are further along continue to advance and innovate. Should we stop talking about Open Textbooks? If we do, how will we reach the majority of faculty who have not yet heard of OER?
