PURPOSE

The Ohio Open Ed Collaborative (OOEC) is offering mini-grant awards to recognize the efforts of Ohio higher education institutions that have participated in the project and to help promote adoption of OOEC course packages throughout the state. Successful awards will implement OOEC course packages and reduce the current cost of textbooks for students.

BACKGROUND

The OOEC is funded through the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Innovation Grant with the goal of supporting the development and adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) in an effort to reduce the cost of textbooks for students. The project is led by North Central State College in collaboration with Ohio State University, Ohio Dominican University, OhioLINK and the Ohio Association of Community Colleges representing an additional 15 community colleges. Members from grant partners construct the OOEC steering committee. Work has been funded through July 2020.

Teams of faculty and librarians have been creating, curating, and reviewing 23 OER courses: 22 primarily high-enrollment courses mapped to Ohio Transfer Module (OTM) and Transfer Assurance Guide (TAG) objectives, and one upper-level math course that is not TAG/OTM. OOEC course packages, with OTM and TAG designations, include the following:

To access OOEC course packages and learn more about the project, visit https://ohiolink.oercommons.org/hubs/OOEC.

TYPES OF AWARDS & ELIGIBILITY

There are two types of awards: partnering-institution awards and consortium awards.

1. Partnering-Institution Awards: Each institution who signed onto the Innovation Grant project as a partner college/university is eligible for a Partnering-Institution Award. This includes: Ohio Dominican University, Ohio State University, Central Ohio Technical College, Clark State Community College, Columbus State Community College, Edison State Community College, Hocking College, Lakeland Community College, Lorain County Community College, Marion Technical College, North Central State College, Northwest State Community College, Rhodes State College, Sinclair

Community College, Southern State Community College, Stark State College, Terra State Community College, and Washington State Community College. Each of the aforementioned partner institutions are guaranteed one award up to $6,000 with completion of the criteria found in this RFP and sign-off by the OOEC steering committee, based on availability of funds.

2. Consortium Awards: Two or more Ohio institutions are collectively eligible to apply for an award up to $15,000 depending on the scale of the project. To be considered for a consortium award, at least one institution must be identified as a project partner institution (see above list). Other types of Ohio institutions that may apply include: public 2-year colleges, public 4-year colleges/universities, public regional branch campuses, and private 4-year colleges/universities. The OOEC steering committee will fund a minimum of two consortium awards, based on available funds and the proposals submitted.

SCOPE OF WORK

Proposals should support one or more of the following goals:

• Spread adoption of OOEC course packages across a variety of subject areas at the institution
• Reach a significant number of students
• Develop and promote best practices in the adoption of OOEC course packages
• Foster instructional design innovations

Upon conclusion, funded projects will submit a report that addresses adoption outcomes, metrics and impact, and best practices. These reports will be used as a case study to help faculty adoption throughout the state. Templates will be provided.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED AWARDS

Funded awards should encourage adoption of OOEC course materials and could employ a combination of strategies including:

• Evaluation of OOEC course materials to review, modify, and/or expand OOEC course packages to meet institutional teaching and learning needs
• Support College Credit Plus (CCP) partnerships to adopt OOEC course packages in CCP courses
• Instructional design support to develop OOEC course packages to meet institutional teaching and learning needs
• Faculty/librarian training to use and adopt OOEC course packages
• Supplement other OER related projects in an effort to adopt OOEC course packages
• Other innovative ideas to support OOEC course package implementation

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The OOEC steering committee is funding projects to implement OOEC courses. Please note that because OOEC courses are designed as modules, content can be adopted in full or part. The goal is to reduce costs of current textbooks and supplemental materials. Applicants must submit the following:

1. Institutional cover letter signed by the provost/chief academic officer supporting the proposal and commitment to the activities outlined in the proposal.
2. Online application that addresses the following:
   • Goals: List the specific objectives for the project. Specific aims should refer to outcomes or changes at the institution(s) that increase OOEC course adoption and reduction of student textbook and supplemental material costs.
   • Project Description: Address the steps, activities, and action plan that will be implemented in order to adopt OOEC course(s). How will you develop and promote best practices for OOEC course adoption?
   • Budget and narrative: List the proposed activities and funding levels. Identify how funds will be spent. Will other sources of funding and/or any in-kind contributions be included? If so, please explain.
   • Metrics and Impact: Include the estimated number of courses/sections to be taught using OOEC materials, savings in cost of textbooks/supplemental materials, estimated number of students in each course/section, and number of faculty using OOEC materials.
   • Key Personnel: Identify a project lead who will oversee work related to the project and serve as the institutional contact throughout the duration of the award. Identify any other key personnel (i.e. faculty, staff, librarians, instructional designers, etc.) or general departments who will be engaged in the project.
   • Projected Timeline: List the steps needed to complete the project and timeframe to do so. Funded projects must conclude work no later than May 2020. See the below timeline for more information.