College aims to help students save on textbooks - Victoria Ritter, Our Midland

Mid Michigan College has expanded the availability of open educational resources (OER) to students even further for the fall semester. These resources replace traditional textbooks and can be used by students at no cost—leading to significant savings for Mid students. “Mid’s goal was to reduce the cost of textbooks for students, and OER provided a framework for us to achieve that,” noted Marisa Wier, associate dean of online and distance learning at Mid.
https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/College-nbsp-aims-to-help-students-save-on-15448570.php

BC announces new funding to support post-secondary students this fall - Alisha Samnani, Capilano Courier

A further investment of $400,000 was put into developing BC’s open educational resources (OERs). These free teaching, learning and research materials are something students will benefit from this fall. OERs have been a call to action from many student groups, including the CSU.  “The CSU is currently running a campaign called Make The Switch which aims to encourage instructors at Capilano University to move away from expensive physical textbooks to free online materials,” said Bridge. “We also need CapU instructors to embrace open educational resources, and support students by making the switch.”
http://www.capilanocourier.com/2020/07/30/post-secondary-supports-and-online-resource-funding/

IMLS awards East Central University with grant- KOKH

East Central University in Ada was awarded a grant worth over $400,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The grant will support the university's three-year project and partnership with Oklahoma State University Libraries, Redlands Community College and the Oklahoma Council of Online Learning Excellence. The project focuses on developing a research method for evaluating the effectiveness of Open Educational Resources in increasing lifelong learning competencies.
https://okcfox.com/news/local/imls-awards-east-central-university-with-grant

COL’s course on OER for Online Learning to be offered to 18,000 teachers in Trinidad and Tobago - Commonwealth of Learning

Following the initial success of its online course on OER for Online Learning, COL will be offering the course for up to 18,000 teachers in Trinidad and Tobago at the request of the Ministry of Education. According to Ms Aneisa Singh, Teacher Development Specialist at the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Education, COL’s course “has proven both informative and beneficial” in light of fostering a blended approach to education and has been added as a pre-requisite for teacher training in preparation for the re-opening of school campuses later this year.
https://www.col.org/news/news/col%E2%80%99s-course-oer-online-learning-be-offered-18000-teachers-trinidad-and-tobago

Decolonise the curriculum, and diversify with Open Educational Resources - Diva Mukherji & Stephanie (Charlie) Farley, University of Edinburgh

As part of our participation in Open Education Week 2019, the OER Service ran a one-hour workshop to explore what it means to decolonise and diversify the curriculum with our EUSA VP of Education Diva Mukherji. It also provided a look at how creating, using, and sharing open educational resources (OER) can be one avenue towards diversifying and opening up curriculum materials with OER advisor Stephanie (Charlie) Farley.
https://open.ed.ac.uk/decolonising-and-diversifying-the-curriculum-with-oer/

Project aims to alleviate textbook costs for university students in Atlantic Canada - Brent Kelloway, CBC News

A $35,000 pilot project is being launched to bring open education resources to Atlantic Canada.  The Council of Atlantic University Libraries provided the initial investment with the hopes of creating a free online public domain for hosting and publishing open educational resources, meaning post-secondary students would have access to online textbooks, videos, digital images and supplemental materials.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/council-atlantic-university-libraries-pilot-open-education-1.5666090

Open education website connects teachers, learners with quality resources - Matthew Carroll, Penn State

They all turned to OPEN.ED, a website hosting high-quality learning materials written by faculty in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. The content, created though the Open Education Resources (OER) initiative launched in 2007 by the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) at Penn State, is free for educators and learners under a creative commons license.
https://news.psu.edu/story/626963/2020/07/28/open-education-website-connects-teachers-learners-quality-resources

Humboldt State U Receives $15,000 Grant for Open Educational Resources Program POSTED BY IRIDIAN CASAREZ, NorthCoast Journal

Humboldt State University has received a $15,000 grant for it's Open Educational Resources (OER) program which permits free reuse and repurposing of teaching and learning resources. The OER program has also saved students more than $1 million in textbooks and more than $1.3 million in academic materials.
https://www.northcoastjournal.com/NewsBlog/archives/2020/07/28/hsu-receives-15000-grant-for-open-educational-resources-program

EXPLORE THE PAST. MAKE SENSE OF THE PRESENT. LOOK TO THE FUTURE. - OER Project

Teach a standards-aligned world history course that connects the past to the present, with an eye to the future. Infinitely adaptable. Free, open, and online. For everyone.
https://www.oerproject.com/world-history/

Commonwealth of Laerning

The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1987 to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. Hosted by the Government of Canada with headquarters in Burnaby, British Columbia, COL is the world’s only intergovernmental organisation solely concerned with the promotion and development of distance education and open learning.
https://www.col.org/

BINGHAMTON RECEIVES NEH CARES GRANT TO SUPPORT LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION DURING PANDEMIC - Jennifer Micale, SUNY Binghampton

All Binghamton students are required to take at least three semesters of foreign languages, the most rigorous general education requirement in the SUNY system.  Students, too, face challenges in digital learning, ranging from internet connectivity issues to distractions and interruptions in their home environment. Romance languages will use open educational resources in many introductory and intermediate language courses this fall as a way of helping students financially in difficult times, Ros Matturro said.

https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/2553/binghamton-receives-neh-cares-grant-to-support-language-instruction-during-pandemic

Based on a recent survey, both faculty and administrators agree that pedagogical strategies are needed for teaching online - NICOLE JOHNSON & GEORGE VELETSIANOS, University Affairs Canada

Faculty and administrators expressed a desire for an online resource hub. The good news is that online content is abundant, often provided with open licenses that allow individuals to reuse and remix it. However, we would urge organizations to resist the desire to develop new content. There is little need at this time to reinvent the wheel when numerous open educational resources on the topic are available that meet faculty needs.
https://www.universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/career-advice-article/professional-development-for-the-2020-fall-semester-how-to-help-faculty-and-administrators-prepare/

West College of Education approved for unique program - Midwestern State University

The West College of Education at MSU Texas was approved by the Texas Education Agency to add the Early Childhood through 3rd-grade certificate, one of only four programs in the state. Competency-based education is an online format where students provide evidence of competency in knowledge and skills to earn course credit. The program operates through open educational resources, which requires no textbooks.
https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2020/07/18/west-college-education-approved-unique-program/5455278002/

Faculty put Affordable Learning Grants into action - Washington State University

Five WSU faculty members are working on creating open educational resources for their respective courses after earning Affordable Learning Grants. The projects will save WSU students an estimated $214,000 in 2020–21 by shifting from traditional textbooks to openly licensed course materials. Over the past four years, Affordable Learning Grants have led to more than $1 million savings in textbook costs for WSU students.
https://news.wsu.edu/2020/07/16/faculty-put-affordable-learning-grants-action/

Thompson Rivers University is hosting a free public event so prospective students can find out more about their financial options

• TRU offers numerous scholarships and bursaries. Students can also seek scholarships at Universities Canada, Scholarships Canada, Yconic and, for Indigenous students, Indspire.

• Open Education Resources (OER)

• Students can look into OER —free textbooks, supplementary manuals and guides on a variety of subjects that are available through BC’s Open Textbook collection.
https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/community/university-students-can-access-new-education-funds-1.24174991

Amid pandemic, let's make online edu a way of life! - ADITYA KESHARI MISHRA / SAGARIKA MISHRA, the Pioneer

We propose a suggestive framework, which will not only help to address challenges but also help to facilitate an amicable ambiance for online learning. This suggestive framework deals with ten suggestions. First, there is the immediate necessity of improvement in institutional infrastructure for online learning. This will certainly lay the foundation for online learning at the institutional level..... Eighth, wise use of open educational resources (OERs), such as e-pathshala, shodhganga, MOOCs, SWAYAM, e-GyanKosh, etc. is another helping resource for online learning.
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/state-editions/amid-pandemic--let-s-make-online-edu-a-way-of-life-.html

Grant allows instructors to create affordable class materials - Andrea Gonzalez, Daily Evergree

One instructor plans to create an online Spanish textbook; free to his students.  In past years, the committee asked the President’s Office and Provost Office to fund the use of open educational resources to replace textbooks that students would otherwise be purchasing, Van de Vord said.  She said the criteria for the grant include the amount students would save on materials, the number of students impacted, and sustainability of course materials.
https://dailyevergreen.com/83333/news/grant-allows-instructors-to-create-affordable-class-materials/

Cost, Convenience Drive Shift to Digital Textbooks - Ed Brennen, UML

“Cost is part of my decision-making process when choosing any textbook,” says Michel, who is among a growing number of UML faculty members switching to free or low-cost digital textbooks, or e-books, for their courses. Encouraging faculty to use e-books is the latest in a series of steps UML is taking to help students save money and keep them in school. The effort includes a new textbook ordering system that launched last year. 
https://www.uml.edu/news/stories/2020/digital-textbooks-save-students-money.aspx

The Time is Now for Open Educational Resources - CARL-ABRC

As higher education continues to prioritize remote online instruction in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, university libraries are working with others to advance, innovate and collaborate on the creation and use of high-quality open education resources. In recognition and support of the work of academic libraries, centres for teaching and learning, and faculty members leading the development of OER on campuses across the country and around the world, CARL’s Open Education Working Group is pleased to share the following resources: an FAQ on Open Education, guidance for instructors on Getting Started with OER, and an Environmental Scan of Open Education Service and Support in Canada.
https://www.carl-abrc.ca/news/the-time-is-now-for-oer/

3 fundamental ways technology is changing education - Andrew Hibling, CEO Edge Education

Although it has been an adjustment for both students and teachers, technology is revolutionising education and paving a way towards a better future in learning. This is according to Dr Andrew Hibling, CEO of Edge Education - a platform that provides coursebooks (digital books) inclusive of video media, instructionally designed activities, images, animations, PDFs, and links to libraries and open educational resources.
https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/659/206357.html

The Alliance of BC Students Advocates for Government Service Budget Changes - Nicole Gonzalez Filos, the Runner

The Alliance of BC Students has submitted their recommendations for B.C.’s 2021 and 2022 Budget to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. The budget proposes five recommendations, one of which is funding for BCCampus and Open Educational Resources. According to the submission, during 2012 and 2020, open educational resources have saved students over $18 million.
https://runnermag.ca/2020/07/the-alliance-of-bc-students-advocates-for-government-service-budget-changes/