BC Open Textbooks
Open Textbooks Adapted and Created by BC Faculty
The BCcampus Open Textbook Project contributes to the development of an open future for teaching practices and educational resources.
Sign In
Each day, we face an information overload with claims, facts and figures flowing across screens faster than we can check them. This is fertile ground for inaccurate reports and “fake news” to abound. When presented with seemingly limitless sources and channels of information, it’s hard to know who and what to trust in relation to our health or our governments. Never has the ability to critically assess and communicate information been more important. So, what can universities to do equip students, staff and the wider public with the tools and knowledge they need to understand the complex nature of evidence, invite varied perspectives and seek the truth?
Best Universities Adapt to Online Degrees Enrollments
The best universities are quick to adapt to the changing landscape of higher education. In the Fall of 2020, 44% or 7 million of all undergraduate students chose to enroll in online degrees. This number is 186% higher compared to 2019 figures (NCES, 2022). This signals a strong preference for the convenience and flexibility that online degrees offer. All over the world, postsecondary education online offerings are becoming a major part of every college and university program.
This shift is evident in university initiatives. Just this year, St. Mary’s University School of Law has become the first fully online J.D. program to be accredited by the American Bar Association (Pelletier et. al., 2022). In Europe, business schools have formed the European Common Online Learning (Ecol) group, which is composed of eight schools from Italy, France, and Switzerland, among others. Meanwhile, Portland State University (PSU) has introduced the “Attend Anywhere” model that intends to understand what a hybrid university might look like and also to reimagine the future of instructional modalities (Pelletier et. al., 2022).
This Theme sets out the guiding principles which underpin assessment, offering practical advice and useful resources. Assessment is a fundamental aspect of the student experience. Students learn from assessment activities, interact with staff and peers, and gain feedback on their progress and performance. Assessment enables them to reflect and continually build on their learning.
Allison Littlejohn, an academic specialising in learning technology, says the blending of school and home is also likely to complicate the relationship between work and life, prompting students to demand more consideration of mental health and work-life balance from their future employers.
OGETHER, WE ARE TRANSFORMING HIGHER EDUCATION
The Open Textbook Network (OTN) promotes access, affordability, and student success through the use of open textbooks.
We believe in the power of open education to transform higher education. Open textbooks not only contribute to student academic success, but also offer faculty the chance to reclaim their courses based on their expertise.
The leadership, actions, and results of our network members drive this transformation, and OTN connects these efforts to pool expertise and promote best practices. Be a part of our community of schools, universities, and institutions making a difference in higher education. Learn about the benefits of membership, get in touch to join, or visit the Open Textbook Library (OTL).
I. Zitter, G. Kinkhorst, R. jan Simons, und O. ten Cate. Computers in Human Behavior, 25 (5):
999 - 1009(2009)Including the Special Issue: Design Patterns for Augmenting E-Learning Experiences.