Many colleges have developed successful OER adoption campaigns through participation in communities of practice (CoP). Panelists from CCCOER will share how participation in community activities supports the design of effective open educational practices and policies at their institutions. As part of an ongoing community of practice, members create and freely share knowledge based on experiences at their institutions. This exchange supports new OER adopters and gives them an opportunity to grow into mentors for the next generation of first-time OER adopters.
Educause’s Communities of Practice Design Guide: A Step-by-Step Guide for Designing & Cultivating Communities of Practice in Higher Education (Cambridge, Kaplan, Suter, 2005) identified 4 key activities that support the identified purposes of a CoP:
- Develop Relationships and Build Trust
- Learn and Develop Practice
- Carry Out Tasks and Projects
- Create New Knowledge
CCCOER members build relationship in active online discussion forums where new information and activities related to open educational practice and policy are shared and archived for later discoverability. Members use this forum to get expert advice on finding and adopting OER, motivating faculty, involving students, and many other topics. Monthly webinars and advisory meetings feature OER thought leaders from within the community and outside. These activities keep members tuned in to new research findings, OER collaboration opportunities, and open education policy updates. Members are strongly encouraged to share early project plans and get feedback on approaches.
The CCCOER website is organized to support both initial planning of OER adoption projects as well as inform those who are developing full OER degree pathways. Learning artifacts developed by members and organizations give specific implementation examples. Panel presentations and workshops provide opportunities for members to work together in-person, promote their OER adoption successes, and create new knowledge artifacts based on their institutional experiences with colleagues around the world.
Develop Relationships and Build Trust
CCCOER members build community through participating in an active online discussion forum where new information and activities related to open educational practice and policy are shared and archived for later discoverability. Members use this forum to get expert advice on finding and adopting OER, motivating faculty, involving students, and many other topics. Both asynchronous and synchronous online meetings are scheduled monthly to further support interactions.
Learn and Develop Practice
Monthly webinars and advisory meetings feature OER thought leaders from within the community and outside. These activities keep members tuned in to new research findings, OER collaboration opportunities, and open education policy updates. Members are strongly encouraged to share their early project successes during online meetings and get feedback on various approaches. The CoP involves members in selecting specific topics for meetings and an annual member survey provides another vehicle to involve members in developing the focus for the CoP. Volunteering to serve on the executive team gives members experience in helping to build a CoP that reflects the diversity of its members.
All professional development webinars and other online meetings are recorded and provide ongoing artifacts for exchanging new knowledge. An OER Project Planning guide is available and revised to reflect new and evolving understanding of open educational policies and practices.
Carry Out Projects and Create New Knowledge
CCCOER panel presentations and workshops are organized at regional and national conferences to provide an opportunity for members to work together in-person, promote their OER adoption successes, and share new knowledge with colleagues throughout higher education. Panelists will describe how their participation in CCCOER has informed and strengthened their local OER projects and helped them create and exchange knowledge with newcomers and experienced OER practitioners alike.
CCCOER works with over 250 colleges in 21 states and provinces in the US and Canada to promote open educational practices and policies to expand access and to enhance teaching and learning at community colleges.
