In 2023, the Hewlett Foundation awarded Tennessee State University (TSU) a grant aimed at furthering open education initiatives at HBCUs nationwide. This grant is significant, not just for its financial support, but for its role in driving a transformative approach to education through open educational practices (OEP) and building cultures of openness. With over 30 HBCUs actively participating as a series of hubs and affiliates, the initiative reflects a commitment to elevating educational access and equity, integral to the mission of HBCUs.
As part of the grant, members of the TSU, MERLOT, and Opened Culture have been holding a series of webinars over the summer for educators at HBCUs to attend. These webinars have cemented the important message that open education is not merely about open educational resources (OER) but about the people who engage with them. OEP emphasize collaboration, creativity, and connectivity, making them particularly relevant and transformative for HBCUs. By embracing OEP, institutions can create environments where everyone, from faculty to students, participates in and benefits from shared knowledge. This shift in focus supports the development of an opened culture, characterized by its dynamic and inclusive nature. An opened culture is defined as a vibrant, active, and enduring ecosystem that supports openness and educational access. This culture thrives on three core principles: collaboration, creativity, and connectivity. Collaboration brings together diverse stakeholders to work towards shared educational goals. Creativity involves the production and meaningful use of resources, fostering innovation in teaching and learning. Connectivity ensures that educational practices directly engage and empower the communities they serve. Together, these elements create a robust framework for educational excellence and inclusivity.
Current Efforts and Achievements
Participants in this grant have made notable strides in adopting OER on their campuses, utilizing platforms like the MERLOT database. By adding resources to the Africana collection in MERLOT, they are expanding the availability of culturally-affirming OER, which is crucial for creating inclusive educational environments. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to using OEP to break down barriers to educational access and to support the holistic development of students at HBCUs.
In addition to increasing the usage of OEP at HBCUs, one of the cornerstone activities of this grant is the creation of the Opened Culture playbooks covering topics related to open pedagogy, open remix, and strategy to support open education over time. These playbooks are designed to be more than just strategic guides—they are actionable roadmaps that provide practical steps for increasing and sustaining openness on campuses. By focusing on collaboration, creativity, and connectivity, the playbooks aim to create a culture where faculty, staff, and students can leverage open education to enhance learning and community engagement. Additionally, these playbooks are open knowledge products with open licenses, allowing them to be adapted and remixed for various contexts and use cases.
To further this initiative, the grant team is hosting a free webinar for HBCU educators on July 23, 2024, from 4-5 pm ET. This session will delve into the three C’s of an opened culture and guide participants in reflecting on the elements present at their institutions. The webinar will also provide detailed insights into the playbook series and explain how HBCU educators can get involved. Designed to be interactive, the session will feature polls and chat engagements to encourage active participation and idea sharing.
How You Can Get Involved
The TSU, MERLOT, and Opened Culture grant team invite HBCU educators to join us in this transformative effort by attending the webinar and signing up as co-authors for the playbooks. Your participation will not only support the development of a thriving opened culture but also provide valuable professional development and networking opportunities. By contributing to the creation of these playbooks, you will help shape resources that can significantly enhance educational practices at HBCUs.
- Sign up for the free webinar at https://bit.ly/oecworkshop
- Sign up as a volunteer or co-author on the Opened Culture Playbooks at https://bit.ly/oecplaybooks
Engaging in this initiative offers numerous benefits. It provides a platform to support the three C’s of opened culture, fosters connections with like-minded educators, and allows you to play a crucial role in creating inclusive educational environments. Moreover, your contributions will help create resources that can be adapted and used widely, making a lasting impact on the educational landscape at HBCUs.
For more information about this initiative or to ask questions, feel free to contact me here on this site.