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Open Education Week

mc open students

The goal of Open Education Week is to raise awareness about free and open educational opportunities that exist for everyone, everywhere, right now. Montgomery College wants to highlight how open education can help people meet their goals in education, whether that’s to develop skills and knowledge for work, supporting formal studies, learning something new for personal interest, or looking for additional teaching resources. 

The MC Open initiativenew window focuses on faculty redesigning courses using Open Educational Resources (OER) to leverage pedagogy that fosters student success while reducing costs and increasing access to course materials. Montgomery College is committed to providing OER course options leading to degree completion (commonly called Z-degrees).

Open Education Week Activities

Open Education Week is from March 4-8.  ELITE will have activities for the entire week.  Please stop by our Information Table on Monday, March 4, for information and grab some goodies. 

  • Takoma Park/Silver Spring - ST Atrium, 10:00-11:00 AM | Germantown, SA Lobby, 12:00-1:00 PM | Rockville - SV Lobby, 2:00-3:00 PM 
Professional Development Schedule

Starting Monday, March 4, the College will offer several professional development opportunities for faculty and staff as we celebrate Open Education Week.

Please stop by our Information Table for information and grab some goodies. 

  • Takoma Park/Silver Spring - ST Atrium, 10:00-11:00 AM
  • Germantown, SA Lobby, 12:00-1:00 PM
  • Rockville - SV Lobby, 2:00-3:00 PM 

Empowering Education: MC Open and Faculty Select
12:00-1:00 PM | Presenters: Dr. Shinta Hernandez and Beth Thoms

Interested in learning how you can contribute to your students’ success? In kicking off Open Education Week at Montgomery College, this information session will offer you an opportunity to learn about the College’s open education initiatives and outcomes, in particular, MC Open and the Faculty Select Program. You will gain a better understanding of how you can redesign you courses using open educational resources (OERs) that engage, connect, and support student learning.

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Exploring Decolonization of the Curriculum at Montgomery College: A Path Forward
3:00-4:00 PM | Presenter: Dr. Paul Miller

Join us for an engaging and transformative workshop designed for educators, administrators, and curriculum developers at Montgomery College. This workshop explores the critical process of decolonizing the curriculum, shedding light on the importance of inclusivity, diversity, and equity in educational content and pedagogy. As part of our commitment to fostering change beyond MC, we will also introduce participants to the development of a Pressbooks resource. This open educational resource (OER) is intended to serve as a guide for other institutions looking to embark on their decolonization journey, offering insights, strategies, and practical steps taken by MC under an institutional grant awarded by the Maryland Open Source Textbook (MOST) initiative.

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The Inclusive Curriculum: A Portal to Opportunities
3:00-4:00 PM | Presenter: Phil Bonner

An inclusive curriculum is an approach to education that provides equal opportunities and support for all students, regardless of their background, abilities, or differences. The goal of an inclusive curriculum is to create a learning environment that recognizes and respects diversity, promotes equity, and ensures that all students have access to engaging educational opportunities. It intentionally integrates perspectives that broaden and enrich the curriculum both within specific assignments and throughout the course. This approach offers students opportunities to interact with diverse viewpoints, preparing them for an array of academic and professional settings. Join ELITE for a one-hour discussion of how inclusive curriculums can support student success.

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UN SDG Open Pedagogy Fellowship Information Session
4:00-5:00 PM | Presenters: Dr. Michael Mills, Dr. Shinta Hernandez, and Dr. Christine Crefton

Open education resources (OERs) increase equitable access to education and empower students in the learning process. More broadly, open pedagogy places students at the center of that learning process in a more engaging, authentic, and collaborative environment. Montgomery College, along with more than 10 institutional partners around the world, are committed to supporting global justice through an international partnership in which faculty work in cross-institutional, interdisciplinary teams to maximize global impact. Learn about the global-award winning United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Open Pedagogy Fellowship in this information session.

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All Together Now! Creating OER in Harmony with Students and Generative AI
2:00-3:00 PM | Presenter: Dr. Angela Lanier

Whether you are an advocate or skeptic of Artificial Intelligence, it is worthwhile to consider how to leverage its potential for teaching and learning. One way to do this is to invite students as co-creators who not only contribute their own knowledge to the curriculum but also critically explore the use of generative AI to enhance course materials. This session will propose strategies to balance the instructor’s disciplinary expertise, student experiences, and generative AI to support open pedagogy.

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Engaging Students using Open Source Digital Tools
3:00-4:00 PM | Presenters: Dr. Christine Crefton and Nghi Nguyen

There are a variety of free and accessible resources that can enhance student learning experiences across different disciplines. In this workshop, participants will explore innovative ways to engage students using open source digital tools, such as Pressbooks and H5P. They will learn how to leverage these tools to create dynamic and interactive learning environments and foster collaboration among students.

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Cost Savings and Beyond: Demonstrating Impact and Effectiveness with Open Education
3:00-4:00 PM |Presenters: Dr. Michael Mills, Cheryl Casey, Allia Service, and Amy Hofer

Whether you’re getting started with a new project or leading a mature open education initiative, the questions of how to demonstrate effectiveness, measure impact, and quantify value are always relevant. What do key stakeholders care about, and which metrics and proof points will resonate with them? As you build support for your initiative, what success stories are you trying to tell, and for what purpose? Attend this webinar to gain inspiration and ideas from a thought-provoking panel of open education leaders as they share how to think strategically and practically about demonstrating the value of open education.

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Guiding Principles for Inclusive Syllabus Design
1:00-2:00 PM | Presenter: Gloria Barron

Why should you consider transforming your syllabus into an inclusive one? Fostering an inclusive and welcoming classroom environment starts with the syllabus. A meticulously crafted syllabus transcends the conventional layout by integrating elements that promote inclusion and empower students to take ownership of their learning journey. Join us for this workshop if you're eager to revamp your syllabus and adapt your course materials to embrace a learner-centered approach grounded in the six principles of inclusive syllabus design.

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Empowering Education with Pressbooks at Montgomery College: Innovations in OER
2:00-3:00 PM | 
Presenters: Dr. Christine Crefton, Dr. Sarah Campbell, and Dr. Rashi Jain

Join us during Open Education Week for an interactive session spotlighting the transformative role of Pressbooks in the creation of Open Educational Resources (OER). This session will feature two MC educators who have harnessed the power of Pressbooks to develop unique educational materials. The session will kick off with an introduction to Pressbooks, highlighting its versatility and effectiveness in creating diverse and accessible OERs. Presenters will then share the different ways that Pressbooks have been incorporated in their courses, which range from the creation of original content to the modification of existing resources to enhance learning experiences. A Q&A segment will follow, allowing attendees to engage directly with the panelists, gaining deeper insights into their experiences and the impactful possibilities of using Pressbooks in educational contexts.

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Open Pedagogy in Action: Fellowship Panel Showcase of Students and Faculty
3:00-4:00 PM | Presenters: Dr. Antonio del Castillo-Olivares and Michaela Pacesova

Join us during Open Education Week for an engaging and insightful showcase of students and faculty who participated in two Montgomery College fellowships centered on open pedagogy. Hear from this panel on how the global award-winning United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Open Pedagogy Fellowship and the eFaculty Fellowship for Dual Enrollment helped them work together to carry out open pedagogical practices in the teaching and learning environments. Whether you are new to open pedagogy or looking to deepen your understanding and implementation, this panel showcase offers a unique opportunity to learn from real-world experiences and connect with colleagues and students who are passionate about transforming education through open-ness and collaboration.

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Open Education Week - Faculty Testimonials

MC faculty share their personal experience on using OER in their classes.

Rachel Saidi - OER Testimonial 
Dr. Brandon Wallace - OER Testimonial
Dr. Gadis Effendi - OER Testimonial
The 5 Rs of OER

Faculty talk about the 5 Rs (Reuse, Retain, Revise, Remix, and Redistribute) of OER.

Open Education Week - Andrea Foster, Introduction
Open Education Week - Michele Knight, Retain
Open Education Week - Chip Gladson, Revise
Open Education Week - Tom Chen, Reuse
Open Education Week - Mary Robinson, Redistribute
Open Education Week - Craig Benson, Remix

Updated: 2/2/2024