Dear members of the BCOEL,

At the last meeting of the BCOEL executive, BCIT introduced a research project to gather data on the use of OER.

As part of this study, BCIT would like to collect some baseline data on OER usage by post-secondary institutions across BC. Your group was identified as a good cross-institutional source for gathering baseline information. As such, we would like to ask you to take a few minutes to participate in this online board by November 15:

https://padlet.com/rosario5/70hhy64gx3r4z2cw

Information about the research project:

Study Title: How can the Learning and Teaching Centre (LTC) increase the uptake of Open Educational Resource^Å (OER) use, including Open Textbooks^ÅÅ, in the classroom and in online course design?

Before agreeing to participate in this research, we strongly encourage you to read the study purpose and procedures below.

This study is designed to examine how the LTC can increase the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in classrooms and courses. We are conducting this study to learn more about this question because of the possible value that Open Educational Resources offer. This study has been reviewed by the BCIT Research Ethics Board.

Please note:

· Participation includes participation in an online board (approx. 20 mins) that asks basic questions about your institution’s experiences, with the use of Open Educational Resources.

· The online board is located here: https://padlet.com/rosario5/70hhy64gx3r4z2cw

· If the online board is completed it will be assumed that consent has been given.

· You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time and without penalty.

· Risks and Discomforts There are no risks or discomforts anticipated from your participation in the study.

· Benefits The anticipated benefit of participation is the opportunity to discuss perceptions related to use of Open Educational Resources and to contribute to understanding decision-making and planning for learning and teaching.

· Confidentiality The information gathered during this study will remain confidential and in secure premises during this project. Only the researchers will have access to the study data and information. The results of the research will be shared at BCIT and may be published or presented at professional meetings.

· For Further Questions and Follow-Up please contact the Chair of the BCIT Research Ethics Board at (604-451-6917) or research_ethics@bcit.ca

· Researcher Contact: Dr. Cheri MacLeod, cmacleod9@bcit.ca, 604-432-8466

Å…“teaching, learning, and research materials that are either (a) in the public domain or (b) licensed in a manner that provides everyone with free and perpetual permission to engage in the 5R activities.” (Creative Commons, n.d.)

^ÅÅOpen textbooks have an open-copyright license and may be available in a variety of file types. These are usually free to use.

We thank you in advance for your participation!

Cheers,

Rosario

Rosario Passos

Instructional Development Consultant (IDC)

Learning and Teaching Centre

British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2

Tel: (604) 456 1266 rosario_passos@bcit.ca www.bcit.ca/ltc

Education for a Complex World

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