What are OER?
Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely available online teaching and learning materials accessible to students, instructors and self-learners. Contained in digital media collections from around the world, including full courses, lectures, quizzes, classroom activities, pedagogical materials and many other assets.
OER Council
In the 2017 session, the Colorado legislature passed and the Governor signed Senate Bill 17-258, which creates the Open Educational Resources Council. This statewide body is charged to develop a plan for resources to benefit college and K-12 students throughout Colorado.
Recently approved HB 18-1331 directs the commission to continue the work and explore recommendations set forth by the OER Council. Part of the requirements of the new legislation call for the continuation of the Council in an advisory role with the Department.
The inaugural OER Council members were nominated by campus leadership. The new composition of the council requires twelve members, including five faculty, three library professionals, one currently enrolled student, one instrucional design expert, one information technology expert and one administrator.
2018 OER Council Membership
2018 OER Council meetings occur the second Thursday of every month from 1 to 4 p.m
Name | Institution | |
Meg Brown-Sica | Colorado State University | meg.brown-sica@coloradostate.edu |
Courtney Bruch | CSU Global | courtney.bruch@csuglobal.edu |
Dustin Fife | Western State Colorado University | dfife@western.edu |
Helen Reed | University of Northern Colorado | Helen.Reed@unco.edu |
Deborah Keyen-Franssen | University of Colorado System | deblkf@cu.edu |
Emily Ragan | MSU Denver | eragan@msudenver.edu |
Brittany Dudek (Vice Chair) | Colorado Community College System | Brittany.Dudek@cccs.edu |
Tina Parscal | CCCOnline | Tina.parscal@cccs.edu |
Alana Mitchell | Student Representative | Alana.Mitchell@ppcc.edu |
Jonathan Poritz (Chair) | CSU-Pueblo | jonathan.poritz@csupueblo.edu |
Ye Li | Colorado School of Mines | yeli@mines.edu |
Mark Manzanares | Adams State University | markmanzanares@adams.edu |
Regan Harper | Colorado Department of Education | Harper_R@cde.state.co.us |
Renee Martinez | Colorado Department of Education | Martinez_R@cde.state.co.us |
Spencer Ellis | Colorado Department of Higher Education | spencer.ellis@dhe.state.co.us |
Events and Webinars
COLTT
Colorado Learning and Teaching with Technology
Aug. 1-2, 2018
OER: From Vision to Action
Aug. 1-2, 2018
Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries
2017 OER Council Meeting Schedule
June 29, 2017 |
Notes |
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Aug. 3, 2017 | ||
Sept. 22, 2017 | ||
Oct. 13 | ||
Oct. 25 |
Notes |
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Nov. 3 |
Notes |
Research and Resources
The OER Council’s report, submitted to the Joint Budget Committee and Education Committee, found increased adoption of freely available online teaching and learning materials could significantly benefit students through cost savings, improved learning and higher student retention. Read the report.
News Articles
Grant Program
The OER Council is now accepting applications for the Colorado Open Education Resources grant program. Learn more.