Happy Friday! Tonight we watched an Open Ed session “An Open Textbook Journey: Building the ‘Consumer Behaviour Trilogy'” presented by Andrea Niosi from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Canada. Niosi shared three stories (hence the trilogy in the title) that they have developed to highlight learner creation. The first OER that Niosi shared was the “Introduction to Consumer Behaviour” aimed at the undergraduate level as an open textbook. In 2018 Niosi used a grant from KPU to get the project started and completed the book thanks to a BC Campus Grant. The book, according to Niosi, “de-centres whiteness & dominant culture perspectives” and has “social & environmental justice themes.” Niosi stresses that “marketing is not a right; it is a privilege!” Students have contributed to the book. Niosi did some really cool things with this book: they directly address bias and the damage caused by misappropriation, racial injustice, and manipulation of consumers. The Sustainable Development Goals are incorporated into the book through quality education (#4), gender equality (#5), reduced inequalities (#10), and responsible consumption and production (#12). Niosi described how students contribute to the book through editing and persuasive writing. Several creations were in the form of H5P embedded into the Pressbooks textbook! That is creative and engaging… and has given me ideas for the Delftia Book.
The second open textbook Niosi mentioned was the “Introduction to Consumer Behaviour Ancillary Resources.” This is a “collection of essays & case studies with reflection questions; assignment & project outlines; and samples of student work.” The goal is to give instructors resources and connect back to the themes of the textbook. Instructors can use outlines, annotate with Hypothes.is, and create H5P teachable content. I also like that Niosi mentioned opportunities to examine the SGDs! As part of the SDG Open Pedagogy Fellowship, Niosi created collaborative renewable assignments. What better way to complement a textbook than with an instructor guide?! Importantly, the project has strong connections to social justice.
The last OER that Niosi mentioned was a Student Anthology expressed through creative self-reflection. Niosi wants the student anthology to give students choice as an alternative assignment in the course. Niosi shared some quotes from students. Students mentioned that the anthology “lasts” and that having the option to contribute is important. Niosi’s advice when working with students on a project like this is to prepare and build in time for drafting, revisions, editing, and finalizing. Niosi’s slides had graphics from the USGS found on Unsplash in a black background. This was an excellent session that was inspiring.
