Open Education Grants 2023/24
OER Development Grants (up to $5,000) – OPEN
Develop openly licensed learning materials:
- make substantial revisions to existing OER (open educational resources) to better suit class subject matter and learning outcomes
- create an openly licensed learning resource in any category or format (eg. textbook, videos, manual, question or test bank)
The LTC and the Library can provide some support for funded grant projects.
The call for proposals will close Monday, April 24, 2022.
Some things to keep in mind when applying for Open Education Grants
- All learning materials developed with the support of a BCIT Open Education Grant must be openly licensed and deposited in the BCIT Institutional Repository.
- Proposed projects focused on the use of proprietary software are generally not well suited as a topic for an open educational resource.
- Proposed projects that use proprietary software for development are generally not considered to be open educational resources as it can be difficult for users to access and revise the content.
- Learning materials should be developed using platforms and formats that are as open and editable as possible. Grantees are encouraged to develop their project in PressBooks when possible as the platform is open and is supported by BCcampus. Proposals should include information on platforms and formats that will be used for the project.
- When closed formats are used, editable files, such as MP4s for videos, must also be included with the final project for submission to the BCIT Institutional Repository.
- Grant applicants should check to see what is already available on the topic they are proposing. It may be possible to build on an already existing OER.
- If applicable, use of AI tools such as ChatGPT must be explicitly acknowledged. Proposals should describe how these tools will be utilized. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the use of AI is ethical and accurate.
- Grantees are expected to be familiar with accessibility guidelines and to incorporate best practices while developing their grant project – see as a starting point the BCcampus Accessibility Toolkit.
- Please review BCIT’s Open Education Best Practices and Guidelines.
- Grant money cannot be used for travel expenses or to purchase or rent equipment, hardware, or software.
- Open Education Grant funds that are distributed as Flexible Learning contracts are subject to tax and benefits deductions
Open Education Course Transformation Micro-Grants ($500) –
CLOSED
Transform a current or new course to include one or both of the following:
- ZTC (zero textbook costs): replace learning materials currently used in the course that students pay for (eg. textbooks, lab manuals, readings) with materials that are free for students (eg. OER, freely available information such as government documents, and/or BCIT Library materials)
- OEP (open education practices/pedagogy): incorporate substantive OEP into the course.
A short student survey and final report is required.
Support from the Library and the Learning and Teaching Centre is available:
- to consult with a Librarian to help with a search for OER and other free-to-use learning materials
- to consult with an Instructional Development Consultant to help determine appropriate open practices that match the subject matter and learning outcomes of the course
These funds are distributed as Flexible Learning contracts so are subject to tax and benefits deductions.
The call for proposals will close Monday, October 17, 2022.
Teaching Excellence in Open Education Employee Excellence Award – CLOSED
BCIT’s Employee Excellence Awards added a new category starting in 2022: Teaching Excellence in Open Education. The recipient is awarded $1,000. Nominations are closed for 2023.
Teaching Excellence in Open Education Award Criteria
The award recognizes teaching excellence in open education by meeting one or more of the following during the past year (April through March):
▪ Improves teaching efficiency and effectiveness through using, augmenting, and evolving OER course materials aligned to course learning outcomes.
▪ Develops Open Educational Resources (OER) to share with colleagues, enhance student-learning opportunities, and reduce barriers to education.
▪ Uses Open Educational Practices (OEP) for learning, teaching, and assessment while challenging, supporting, and inspiring students to do their best work.
▪ Demonstrates creativity and passion in delivering educational experiences that expand student reach and influence beyond the classroom by providing opportunities for students to collaborate and openly share their work with the wider community.
▪ Displays creative and competent use of educational technology to enhance learning experiences with OER and OEP
▪ Demonstrates knowledge of and passion for open education and the benefits it brings to learning and teaching while contributing to the ongoing work to make the global open education movement inclusive and fair.
▪ Works collaboratively with BCIT colleagues and students on open education initiatives, aimed at integrating Open Educational Practices into teaching and learning.
▪ Acts as a valuable resource for students, colleagues, and BCIT by sharing open education knowledge and promoting and encouraging the development and use of OER and OEP.
▪ Participates beyond BCIT in open education initiatives such as sharing OER, contributing to OE committees/communities of practice, and pursuing or providing PD opportunities in open education
External Funding Opportunities