OERu 2012 Prototype rough consensus poll

OERu

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TARGET DATE TO SUBMIT YOUR POLL: 10 JANUARY 2012

Key points

This is a rough consensus poll to gauge the "feeling of the group" concerning the selection of the OERu 2012 prototype courses. This is not intended to be robust research instrument for definitive decision-making. Think of the rough consensus poll as a group discussion leading towards the next phase of the process. The outcome of this rough consensus poll will not impact on the principle of institutional autonomy in the OERTen. Individual anchor partners retain decision-making autonomy regarding all aspects of the OERu initiative. Before completing this poll, please be sure to read the detailed submissions of the course nominations for the OERu 2012 prototype. Institutions may submit as many contributions as they like. If you are not a member of the OERu founding anchor partners -- please indicate not-applicable for questions relating to whether your institution would cross-credit the course. Technology related instructions: You will need a WikiEducator account and you must be logged in to cast your votes. You must click on the "Vote" or "Change my vote" button below each set of questions to record your votes. If your login session has expired (e.g. no activity after a long period), you will not be able to vote or change your vote. Login to WikiEducator again. Please cast your vote on all the questions -- remember to scroll down to the bottom of the page as there are 13 question sets. You can change your vote at any time or come back later to complete the pol. We will defer the final OERTen decision on the number of courses for the 2012 prototype to early in the new year as more information becomes available. There are many factors, both internal and external, which may impact on the final outcome of the 2012 OERu prototype. For the purposes of this rough consensus, we are asking for your opinion based on best knowledge and experience today, in other words the "gut feel" of a professional educator taking into account your knowledge of the OERu initiative and your institution. There are clearly overlaps between some course nominations, eg Why Sustainable practice and the Environmental Literacy courses or the two Psychology course nominations. For the purposes of this poll treat each course as an individual submission. We will conduct a mapping of learning outcomes to establish the levels of overlap later in the process.

Perspective and general feeling about the number of courses for the 2012 prototype

1. I'm responding to this rough consensus poll from the perspective of my best judgement for the following stakeholder of the OERTen:
   • Athabasca University
   • BAOU
   • Empire State College (SUNY)
   • NMIT
   • NorthTec
   • Open Polytechnic
   • Otago Polytechnic
   • SNHU
   • TRU
   • University of Canterbury
   • Unisa
   • USQ
   • University of Wollongong
   • Non-teaching OERu partner (eg BCcampus, OERF)
   • Open education community
   • Other
2. Based on the information OERTen now has for the 12 nomination candidates for the OERu prototype courses, what is your feeling regarding the optimal number of courses we should include for the 2012 prototype?
   • Develop as many of the nominations as possible
   • Limit the prototype to a small number (for example 3 courses)
   • Greater than 3 courses, but less than 12

Why Sustainable Practice (Otago Polytechnic Course)

This is a first-year core course in the Certificate for Sustainable Practice at Otago Polytechnic and focuses on: helping learners understand what sustainable practice is, why current human activity is unsustainable and what is required to achieve a sustainable state.

1. The "Why sustainable practice" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "Why sustainable practice" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of this prototype within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable

Introduction to Psychology (Saylor course)

The intention is to adapt the Saylor foundation course for a generic first year course in Social Psychology including for example, a contemporary understanding of psychology within its historical foundations and major schools of thought, development, motivation, emotion, learning, personality and personality assessment.

1. The "Introduction to Psychology / Social Psychology" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "Introduction to Psychology / Social Psychology" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of the "Introduction to Psychology / Social Psychology" course within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable

Art Appreciation and Techniques (Saylor Course based on Washington State Open Library Course initiative)

This first-year course is an exploration of visual art forms and their cultural connections for the student with little experience in the visual arts. It includes a brief study of art history and in depth studies of the elements, media, and methods used in creative processes and thought.

1. The "Art Appreciation and Techniques" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "Art Appreciation and Techniques" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of the "Art Appreciation and Techniques" course within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable

Regional Relations in Asia and the Pacific (USQ course)

Drawing upon frameworks from International Relations and the Social Sciences, this first-year level course provides basic information about, and analysis of, contemporary regional relationships, current affairs and societies in Asia and the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand. Attention will be given to the personal and social skills that will facilitate better international cooperation and cross cultural communication in the Asia and the Pacific.

1. The "Regional Relations in Asia and the Pacific" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "Regional Relations in Asia and the Pacific" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of the "Regional Relations in Asia and the Pacific" course within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable

General and Applied Psychology (Open Polytechnic course)

This first-year level introduces students to several psychological disciplines and shows how psychology advances through scientific research. The course examines general topics such as how people perceive the world around them, how the brain works, and how we think, feel, learn and remember. It also provides a foundation in the nature of research and how psychologists use scientific methodology.

1. The "General and Applied Psychology" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "General and Applied Psychology" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of the "General and Applied Psychology" course within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable

Introduction to Management (NorthTec course)

This first-year level course provides an introductory study of management and the organisational context within which management is performed. The course will look at a range of perspectives on organisations and management, the external environment and internal processes of organisations, the nature of a manager's job (including its range of functions and roles), management decision making (processes and constraints), and the ethical and social responsibility dimensions of management.

1. The "Introduction to management" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "Introduction to management" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of the "Introduction to management" course within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable

College Composition (SNHU course)

College Composition is designed to introduce students to the skills necessary to be a successful college writer throughout their education careers. The course covers: organization, syntax, diction, style, and tone are appropriate for a given audience, subject, and purpose; critical reading; and hot to locate, evaluate, and integrate information purposefully from electronic and print sources and to document them correctly using appropriate referencing styles.

1. The "College Composition" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "College Composition" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of the "College Composition" course within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable

Introduction to Communication (SNHU course)

This first year level course covers mass media, culture, and society. The course focuses on how and why the media operate as they do, as well as on how media performance might be improved.

1. The "Introduction to Communication" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "Introduction to Communication" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of the "Introduction to Communication" course within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable

Environmental Literacy (Unisa course)

The purpose of this first year course is to equip students with the knowledge, skills and tools to make responsible environmental decisions in their daily living. Those who achieve this module can: explain the interrelationships between humans and their environment; apply the principles of bio-resource conservation and management; develop a responsible approach to the utilisation of consumer products; and manage waste to promote waste minimisation and responsible disposal.

1. The "Environmental Literacy" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "Environmental Literacy" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of the "Environmental Literacy" course within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable

Critical reasoning (Unisa course)

The purpose of this second-year level course in Philosophy is to equip learners with critical reasoning skills in argumentation by identifying and avoiding fallacious reasoning by analyzing and evaluating simple and complex arguments, and by constructing arguments to write critical essays. The course includes: independent thinking, the ability to make informed decisions, critical reasoning, analysis and evaluation of information and knowledge claims.

1. The "Critical reasoning" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "Critical reasoning" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of the "Critical reasoning" course within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable

A Mathematical Journey (ESC - SUNY course)

In this world of complicated financial situations, climate changes, and the basic need to figure out how to be a smart consumer with limited resources and rising costs, quantitative skills are a necessity. In this course, learners will begin with a self-assessment of basic skills (arithmetic, data analysis, algebra) and then will proceed with a personal plan to improve quantitative skills. The focus of resources will be on algebra, since knowledge of algebra provides one with essential tools.

1. The "Mathematical Journey" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "Mathematical Journey" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of the "Mathematical Journey" course within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable

Transformations During the Colonial Experience in the United States (ESC - SUNY course)

Just as the term transformation in the course title indicates, our study of Colonial American history is about change. First and foremost is the change to an American identity from the multiple identities characteristic of the early colonial period. The emergence of a distinctly American identify coincided with the expansion of a series of small coast hugging settlements westward toward the Appalachian Mountains out into the Ohio and Mississippi River Valley. Change was also evident in many other areas of colonial life including religious practice, social arrangements, economic activities as well as cross-cultural relations with Native Americans and increasing numbers of African slaves. Members of the latter group were also undergoing the process of Americanization. The increasing pace of change in the eighteenth century called into question relations with the far distant mother country. A few men and women began articulating a vision of an independent American nation.

1. The "Transformations During the Colonial Experience in the USA" course is a worthy candidate for the 2012 OERu prototype.
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Undecided
   • Disagree
   • Strongly disagree
2. In all probability, based on your professional opinion, would your institution be able to award credit for the "Transformations During the Colonial Experience in the USA" course towards a credential at your institution by any method (e.g. credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation agreement etc.)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable
3. Would your institution be interested in collaborating on the development of the "Transformations During the Colonial Experience in the USA" course within the agreed parameters of the OERTen regarding time and course contribution equivalents (i.e. a total of 2 courses per institution)?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not sure
   • Not applicable