The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) project will build on an established OER framework to cultivate new campus partnerships and to apply the DOERS3 Equity Through OER Rubric. We will identify gaps and develop a plan to build practitioner capacity for equity-centered OER engagement and increase equitable student access, outcomes, and success. Faculty and leaders from Academic innovation, Student Success, and the UTSA Libraries will increase student awareness of and engagement with OER, faculty awareness and adoption of OER, and scale course design and course marking best practices. We will apply the rubric across five core curriculum courses.
Institutional Profile
UTSA’s mission is to be a model for student success, a great public research university, and an exemplar for strategic growth and innovative excellence. UTSA is a founding Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) that promotes opportunity for Latino students. The campus reached Tier One research status in 2022, placing UTSA in the top 4% of research universities in the nation. UTSA has 34,734 students, of which 45% are First-Generation. 59% of students identify as Hispanic or Latino. UTSA boasts diverse faculty: 21% identify as Hispanic; 13% as Asian; 1% as two or more races; and 9% as international. In fall 2022, 70% of UTSA undergraduates received financial aid; over 50% received grants.
Project Description
Staff in Academic Innovation, UTSA Libraries, and Student Success will lead the project by partnering with UTSA faculty, course coordinators, enrolled students, and campus partners to apply the rubric to support faculty and student engagement with and awareness of OER.
Current Readiness
Readiness is evidenced by the UTSA Libraries’ Adopt a Free Textbook Grant Program, which has awarded 138 faculty OER grants yielding $10 million in student savings, and by Academic Innovation’s Teaching and Learning Reimagined Grants, supporting OER integration in courses and promoting equitable course design and inclusive learning experiences. Both divisions offer a comprehensive suite of faculty OER support services. Additionally, UTSA Libraries has spearheaded OER transparency efforts by partnering with the Registrar, the Bookstore, and University Technology Solutions to comply with Texas SB 810 and HB 1027 that govern OER transparency in Texas.
Project Leads and Team Members
DeeAnn Ivie, Open Education Coordinator & Political Science Librarian in the UTSA Libraries
coordinates the Adopt-a-Free-Textbook grant program and outreach to OER campus partners. She is certified in OER Librarianship through the Open Education Network and is Creative Commons Certified. She earned a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of North Texas. Her ORCiD ID is 0000-0002-9918-9530.
Dr. Amy Buechler-Steubing, Senior Director of Student Success Strategic Planning and Administration & Director of Student Success Initiatives in the Division of Student Success, provides strategic leadership in the design, implementation, and assessment of a collaborative, networked student success ecosystem, including Division of Student Success units, six College Student Success Centers, and multiple work teams; leadership and professional development opportunities for staff and faculty; the application of predictive analytics modeling and tools; and innovative programs, systems, and initiatives that foster equitable outcomes and improve graduation rates.
Dr. Claudia Arcolin, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Experiences in Academic Innovation has worked in education and instructional technology since 2003. Her areas of interest include faculty professional development, micro credentials, evidence-based teaching and learner-centered instruction, and student-generated content and gamification. She holds a doctorate in Cognitive and Education Sciences and a Master in Continuing Education and E-Learning.
Stakeholder Engagement Plans
Academic Innovation, UTSA Libraries, and Student Success will partner with UTSA faculty, course coordinators, and students to apply the rubric for awareness and engagement.
Defining Success
Our team will define success by the following outcomes or goals:
Faculty:
Institutional Profile
UTSA’s mission is to be a model for student success, a great public research university, and an exemplar for strategic growth and innovative excellence. UTSA is a founding Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) that promotes opportunity for Latino students. The campus reached Tier One research status in 2022, placing UTSA in the top 4% of research universities in the nation. UTSA has 34,734 students, of which 45% are First-Generation. 59% of students identify as Hispanic or Latino. UTSA boasts diverse faculty: 21% identify as Hispanic; 13% as Asian; 1% as two or more races; and 9% as international. In fall 2022, 70% of UTSA undergraduates received financial aid; over 50% received grants.
Project Description
Staff in Academic Innovation, UTSA Libraries, and Student Success will lead the project by partnering with UTSA faculty, course coordinators, enrolled students, and campus partners to apply the rubric to support faculty and student engagement with and awareness of OER.
Current Readiness
Readiness is evidenced by the UTSA Libraries’ Adopt a Free Textbook Grant Program, which has awarded 138 faculty OER grants yielding $10 million in student savings, and by Academic Innovation’s Teaching and Learning Reimagined Grants, supporting OER integration in courses and promoting equitable course design and inclusive learning experiences. Both divisions offer a comprehensive suite of faculty OER support services. Additionally, UTSA Libraries has spearheaded OER transparency efforts by partnering with the Registrar, the Bookstore, and University Technology Solutions to comply with Texas SB 810 and HB 1027 that govern OER transparency in Texas.
Project Leads and Team Members
DeeAnn Ivie, Open Education Coordinator & Political Science Librarian in the UTSA Libraries
coordinates the Adopt-a-Free-Textbook grant program and outreach to OER campus partners. She is certified in OER Librarianship through the Open Education Network and is Creative Commons Certified. She earned a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of North Texas. Her ORCiD ID is 0000-0002-9918-9530.
Dr. Amy Buechler-Steubing, Senior Director of Student Success Strategic Planning and Administration & Director of Student Success Initiatives in the Division of Student Success, provides strategic leadership in the design, implementation, and assessment of a collaborative, networked student success ecosystem, including Division of Student Success units, six College Student Success Centers, and multiple work teams; leadership and professional development opportunities for staff and faculty; the application of predictive analytics modeling and tools; and innovative programs, systems, and initiatives that foster equitable outcomes and improve graduation rates.
Dr. Claudia Arcolin, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Experiences in Academic Innovation has worked in education and instructional technology since 2003. Her areas of interest include faculty professional development, micro credentials, evidence-based teaching and learner-centered instruction, and student-generated content and gamification. She holds a doctorate in Cognitive and Education Sciences and a Master in Continuing Education and E-Learning.
Stakeholder Engagement Plans
Academic Innovation, UTSA Libraries, and Student Success will partner with UTSA faculty, course coordinators, and students to apply the rubric for awareness and engagement.
Defining Success
Our team will define success by the following outcomes or goals:
Faculty:
- Increase in OER awareness, to include awareness and use of OER reporting tools
- Increase in OER awareness and engagement in identified courses
- Increase in OER awareness to create courses aligned to the Universal Design for Learning principles and more accessible and inclusive for students
- Increase in OER awareness, to include how to find OER courses in course schedules
- Increase in OER engagement in identified courses
- Establish a baseline for the potential of OER to impact belonging and success
- Long term goal: improved course outcomes, especially in historically underrepresented groups. This extends beyond the grant timeline, but our team hopes to conduct future analysis.
- Complete gap analysis using DOERS3 rubric and develop action plan to address gaps
- Establish events to promote OER & highlight positive impacts on teaching and learning
- Develop a course design template modeling OER as vital to equitable course design
- Launch a mentorship program/community of practice supporting OER adoption that aligns OER to exceptional teaching practices in all modalities
Implementation and Engagement Timeline
*Staff in Academic Innovation, UTSA Libraries & Student Success
**Staff in Academic Innovation, UTSA Libraries, Student Success & core curriculum faculty, course coordinators & enrolled students
*Staff in Academic Innovation, UTSA Libraries & Student Success
**Staff in Academic Innovation, UTSA Libraries, Student Success & core curriculum faculty, course coordinators & enrolled students
Phase/Deliverable |
Stakeholders |
Period |
Planning |
Project Leads* |
Jan-Feb 2023 |
Gap Analysis and Data Discovery |
All Stakeholders** |
Feb-Apr 2023 |
Listening Sessions and Research |
All Stakeholders** |
May-Jul 2023 |
Develop Action Plan |
All Stakeholders** |
Jul-Sep 2023 |
Develop Case Study |
Project leads & others TBD** |
Set-Oct 2023 |
Implement Action Plan |
Project leads & others TBD** |
Oct 2023-TBD |
Case Study
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