HÂþ»­

 

Open Educational Resources (OER) Grant 2020

**Funded in partnership between CLT and HÂþ»­ Libraries

Focus of Grant

This grant will provide support for HÂþ»­ educators who are interested in adapting or creating an Open Educational Resource (OER), or who would like to investigate the impact of their use of OER on student learning at the course, department or Faculty level.  

The objectives of this grant program include:

    Enhancing the learning experience of students at HÂþ»­ University through the adaptation, creation or research on the impact of OER.

    Supporting HÂþ»­ teaching and learning strategic priorities and the eLearning strategy.

    Providing faculty with opportunities for professional development of teaching with respect to OER.

Eligibility

Each project must be led by a full-time faculty member or a limited-term faculty member with at least one year remaining in their contract term at the start of the grant period. This is in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.  Non-academic staff and part-time faculty members may be co-applicants.

Amount of Award

Up to $3,000 may be awarded

Requirements

  1. Project Plan (See form and checklist below).
  2. A detailed budget is required with justification for each item (where salaries are submitted, 4% vacation pay should be added). Please include a list of any additional resources (e.g., funding, release time, equipment etc.) that will be provided to the project from other sources.
  3. If you are planning to seek assistance from CLT or Library staff as part of your project, please seek confirmation in writing that assistance will be available with key staff member(s) during the time frame required, prior to submitting your proposal.
  4. Statement of support from the head of the relevant teaching unit (department, school, Faculty) that includes: Description of any additional resources (e.g., funding, release time, equipment, etc.) to be provided to the project and a description of the value of the project, in particular the pedagogical impact on students. If a department head is an applicant for the grant, please provide a letter of support from your Associate Dean or Dean of your Faculty.
  5. Willingness to share the results of the project with the HÂþ»­ community at events arranged by the Library and/or CLT (as panel member or presenter). In addition, a brief, written, final report must be submitted to CLT within 18 months of receiving the grant, outlining the outcomes of the project (500-1,000 words).
  6. Any OER made possible by this grant will be openly licensed (using a creative commons license which allows for derivatives) and openly accessible online (e.g., including using HÂþ»­ Libraries Pressbook installation, and any other OER platform).

Funding will NOT be provided for the following items

  • Conferences: registration travel, accommodations, etc.
  • Technology already available elsewhere, or where alternatives are available
  • Office supplies
  • Phone charges
  • Publishing fees
  • Faculty and staff salaries

**NB: Projects that submit budgets that are largely requesting funds to purchase technology will only be considered in special circumstances where research has been conducted to ensure that the tool is the only possible solution, that the tool can be demonstrated to contribute substantially to the project, that there are no institutional plans to consider a HÂþ»­-wide site licence for such a tool, and if the department or faculty is able to commit to maintaining the tool to ensure continued use and impact.

Submission Check-List

Applicants are encouraged to submit well-defined proposals that will demonstrably enhance teaching and learning. 

To be submitted as part of the grant application, using the :ÌýÌý

  1. Names of project lead and co-applicant(s), employment status of project lead, Faculty/Department, contact information, and brief bio (as it relates to the nature of the project)
  2. Project Title
  3. Brief Abstract (150 words) to be used for promotion purposes if the applicant is successful
  4. Project Plan (Not to Exceed 2000 words)
  • Brief description of the proposed project
  • Rationale and goals for the project: Within the context of the program/course, outline the pedagogical impact on students and the contribution the project will make to the course or program. Outline how the project will enhance student learning.
  • If applicable, a detailed description of the OER.
  • Describe how the teaching and learning literature in this area has guided your project direction
  • Student population impacted
  • Sustainability of project

The following must be appended to your :

  • List of sources consulted from the literature
  • Detailed project timeline
  • List of additional resources
  • Teaching Unit Support - Letter from Head of Department
  • Detailed Budget

Submission Process

Grant application requirements must be submitted as one full package, on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 11:59 pm, one of two ways:

  1. Electronic submission applications can be emailed to: CLT@dal.ca
  2. Hard copy submission applications can be delivered to: Centre for Learning and Teaching, Killam Library, Suite G90

Selection Criteria

  • The project will significantly contribute to the enhancement of teaching and learning in the stated context.
  • The project has clear and achievable aims (i.e., the proposal identifies an important teaching/learning challenge or issue that the project will address, clearly states the purpose of the project, and defines realistic and achievable outcomes.)
  • The project will result in impactful and sustainable benefits to students resulting in deep learning.
  • The proposed budget is fully justified and in line with the aims and time-line of the project.
  • The project has the support of the applicant's Dean or Department Head.

Any questions or requests for feedback on proposals in development may be directed to:

Suzanne Le-May Sheffield, Ph.D.
Director
Centre for Learning and Teaching
Tel: (902) 494-1894 | Email: Suzanne.Sheffield@Dal.Ca