Empowering Innovation and Unleashing Potential: Faculty-driven Exploration through OER Grants

Witness how Renton Technical College (RTC) spearheaded a groundbreaking OER Mini-Grant initiative, igniting positive change across Washington State's educational landscape. RTC's OER Mini-Grant program innovates education by fostering faculty-driven explorations of OER. Dive into our journey as we share the triumphant tale of saving students nearly $400,000 in textbook expenses in 2022, all while harnessing the potential of OER. Engage with our esteemed faculty 'OER Heroes,' who've seamlessly integrated OER into ESL, math, computer science, welding, and biology courses. Gain firsthand insights into our faculty's experience—ranging from discovering, adapting, and creating OER to observing transformative pedagogical outcomes. Explore the diverse perspectives and innovative best practices that emerged, with student feedback echoing the resounding success.This session offers a toolbox of strategies to cultivate institutional support for instructors, nurture a culture of Openness, and transcend traditional educational boundaries.