Open Course Library: The New Name for the Course Redesign Initiative

The Course Redesign Initiative portion of the Student Completion Initiative, has adopted a new name - the “Open Course Library Project.”  This modification seems to connote a more open concept and hopefully conveys a less contentious impression than the previous designation. The SBCTC Student Completion Initiative is a project funded by a $6.5 million grant from the Gates Foundation and Ford Foundation. The goals of the Open Course Library are to improve course completion rates, lower textbook costs for students, and provide new resources for faculty.  Most of the selected 81 courses are common course numbered courses.  They were selected because they are the highest enrolled “gatekeeper” courses. Faculty members, instructional designers and librarians will work as teams in designing the courses.  The courses will be collectively owned by the college system and will be accessible to the global community. 

An interim measure of success of the project will be that "81 redesigned courses are adopted by 20% (64,200 students) of the total sections each quarter in the 2012-2013 academic year and [that there will be] increasing adoptions in subsequent academic years."  Despite repeated assurance from the State Board members that the project is not about "canned courses" or "mandated curriculum," many faculty members remain skeptical and concerned. A careful, reasoned analysis of the project can lead us to the best possible outcomes.

Many developments have occurred in response to this rapidly-evolving project. 

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FACTC RESOLUTION
Resolution adopted unanimously by FACTC members meeting at Skagit Valley College on October 23, 2009:

      FACTC recognizes the worthy intentions of the Course Redesign portion of the Washington State Student Completion Initiative as we understand them.  We are, however, distressed and disappointed that faculty members were not involved from the outset in planning and shaping the initiative.  Furthermore, after-the-fact feedback opportunities for faculty are limited and unacceptably rushed.    
      As the leading statewide faculty organization for the expression of academic issues and concerns, FACTC insists upon prior consultation as a vital stakeholder in future SBCTC projects which deal with teaching and learning.  We look forward to participating as full partners with SBCTC.

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Faculty for the Future
The AFT and WEA have set up a Faculty for the Future online forum for their members to continue the discussion of quality teaching and learning and to define the core values and the future of the teaching profession.

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Open Course Library
The State Board has set up an Open Course Library Project wiki site for sharing information and providing an open space for faculty and others to comment about the project.  FACTC members and other interested faculty members are invited to contribute their perspectives.

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"Town Hall" meetings

Two Elluminate online town hall meetings organized by the State Board in November have been attended by about 200 participants. Recorded videos and chat scripts are archived. Two more are scheduled. FACTC members and other interested faculty members are urged to attend one or both if their schedules permit:

            Tuesday, November 17: 1:00 – 2:30pm
            Friday, December 4: 2:00 – 3:30pm

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Webinar: Perspectives on Open Textbooks from Two WA Faculty Authors

This webminar is intended to provide some practical insights and offer a chance for faculty and others to learn more about open educational resources.

•  Date: 11-18-09 (Wednesday)
•  Time: 3:00pm
•  Location: Elluminate:
  https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2008170&password=M.0DEEEB8B6C0EAFD7993367D2D9948A
•  Registration: None – just show up
•  Cost: $0
  

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See also  SBCTC Mission Study and Faculty of the Future posted on October 18, 2009.

Join in the dialogue and let your voice be heard.

Jennifer Wu

North Seattle Community College