What a week! I’m tired. A lot happened and several items on my checklist were accomplished, though a couple continue to be pushed back! I did finish the QM Teaching Online Certificate, and we were able to get the epMotion 5075 BitBot liquid handler to run a DNA prep with food coloring and water. Tonight we watched an Open Ed 2021 recorded session entitled “Designing an Interactive OER Syllabus as an Equitable Practice” and presented by Dr. Jennifer Edwards from Tarleton State University. Edwards explained why they use open educational resources (OER). Among the reasons mentioned by Edwards were: day-one access/no-cost, equity, mobile access, easier for the student, linkable to the Canvas EMS, and manageable for the instructor. Edwards uses Facebook Groups and Facebook Live to integrate OER, using QR codes. Edwards shared the syllabus for the Social Media Campaigns course they teach. It is a Google Document with key elements. I love that Edwards highlights in blue what makes the course different. That’s a neat idea to highlight the value of the course to students. Edwards has weekly evening “Twitter chats” to discuss articles and weekly concepts. The course is full of assignments that promote critical and creative thinking. Students can still access the course documents on the YouTube channel and the hyperlinked syllabus. Edwards mentioned working with potential library resources such as podcasts, libguides, e-books, and database article links. This is all important information and a setup that we could replicate for BIT 295 in the spring. Edwards suggested that instructors create pre and post-semester checklists to help keep track of items that need to be checked or completed. I will keep this in mind as we team-teach courses next semester.
