An important prototype for OERu
This is a very important prototype for OERu because it is based on a widely used model by many distance and online providers, namely an open distance learning course which uses a proprietary textbook.
The development of this course will provide valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with converting a course like this into an OER course. Fortunately the existing online version is openly licensed -- so the challenge is to figure out strategies for replacing the proprietary text. I think there are three alternatives:
- Try and source OER replacements from a variety of sources -- Given that this is a generic first year Management course we may not find a single open text book replacement. As a B.Com graduate, I can attest that business folk are partial to business models that make money like royalties on textbooks ;-)
- Approach a philanthropic organisation like the Saylor Foundation to post a bounty for commissioning the development of an open textbook alternative. (I'll will send a request to Saylor to see if there are mechanisms to achieve this with the current round of Saylor's Open Textbook Challenge.
The pedagogical model makes sense - -I've been lucky enough to take a peek at the current course.
My only query is that the assessment model looks a little thin. I'm not sure that a quiz plus case study is sufficient for a course at this level. However, the scope of the case study may be more than adequate for a level 5 course. It would be useful to get more info on what the case study entails.
I'm very excited about this course as a national NZ qualification and the wide international appeal that an Introduction to Management course will have.
The assessments used in the face to face instance of this course are not appropriate for an oer course so the assessment items are not yet developed. Our learning designer has suggested a quiz or a number of smaller quizzes to test theoretical knowledge and a comprehensive case study which applies the introductory principles of management and organisational theory to the workplace. I think we need two options for the case study:
- for learners that are working ( or have been previously employed) and can choose their current or past work place for the case study - in this case the case study could be a series of questions or reflection points that learners need to address and relate to their workplace environment.
- for learners that are not employed and have never been in employment - in that case we will need to provide a comprehensive case study with enough information and context for the learners to be able to answer the questions and identify and reflect on the issues included in the case study.
