Open Educational Resources (OER): Grants for Open Education Resources at CBU

Open Educational Resources Funding

Overview 

The OER working group, on behalf of the CTL is happy to announce several funding streams, to develop open educational resources (OER), support Zero Textbook Cost programs, or support individual courses in need of low-cost options for students at Cape Breton University.   This program is designed to encourage and support educators from CBU in the adaptation, adoption, creation and curation of open educational resources, and to increase access to open course material for students. CBU has saved students over half a million dollars in textbook costs since the beginning of this program.  

The OER working group is pleased to offer two streams: 

Stream 1: Individual Textbook for the creation or adaptation of individual textbooks or axillary material 

Stream 2: Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Degree Program for the development of full programs that contain all ZTC Courses. 

Stream 1: Individual Textbook Application 

This stream is for the creation or adaptation of individual textbooks or axillary material. This could include: 

§ $5,000: Up to $5,000 for the development of an open textbook on a topic that is currently not covered by an existing open textbook.   

§ $2,500: Up to $2,500 to adapt an existing open textbook(s) to create a new version or edition, or to increase local content within an existing open textbook.   

§ $1,000:  Up to $1,000 for the creation of ancillary materials to support existing open textbooks, e.g. test banks, slide decks, or interactive media.  

Stream 2: Application Questions 

This stream is for the development of full programs that contain all ZTC Courses.  A ZTC program is defined as a set of courses or pathway in a program area that allows a student to earn a credential, with zero textbook costs, by using open educational materials and/or free library materials.   In order to create the first of its kind program in Atlantic Canada, the CBU OER Working Group is offering funding of up to $20,000 to develop pathways to the first ZTC program at Cape Breton University. Proponents and those teaching the courses, who will be choosing materials, must all be in agreement to develop a ZTC pathway.  

Contact nicole_macdougall@cbu.ca or jasmine_hoover@cbu.ca with any questions.