Implementing Open Educational Practices: Portland State University

From Portland State University (PSU), Stéphanie Roulon is a Teaching Assistant Professor and Amy Stanforth is a Student Success Librarian. Teaming up to participate in the Certificate in OEP, the two have been working toward enhancing language learning in a first-year French course Stéphanie teaches. 

Their plan, now underway, incorporates an innovative open educational resource (OER) co-authored by Stéphanie, Géraldine Blattner (Florida Atlantic University), and Amanda Dalola (University of Minnesota). Titled #OnYGo, the OER challenges conventional textbooks’ narrow view of French culture, offering multiple social identities as a means for students to develop empathy and curiosity about others. The multimodal book integrates digital platforms including Instagram, TikTok, and Google Translate. 

Stéphanie and Amy also relied on basic tenets of open pedagogy to design the course’s final project. The assignment allows students flexibility to use text, audio, and/or video to create a story in French that shares an aspect of the city or neighborhood where they live. This enables students to add their own context to their studies and see themselves represented in the curriculum. 

Copyright and licensing are covered in the curriculum as well. The intent is to help students make informed decisions about sharing their work which may eventually become publicly available online.

Welcome, Stéphanie and Amy. Thanks so much for inviting us to join you.

Stéphanie: I see the integration of open pedagogy into this class as advantageous for several reasons. It encourages student ownership and engagement by involving them in knowledge creation within a collaborative, public setting. Additionally, it enhances transparency and accessibility by making course materials and student work openly accessible to a broader audience.

Stéphanie: I was already doing open pedagogy without really knowing what it was. But participating in this program has made me aware of many things I had not thought about, including what happens when students post their work publicly. I am glad that now Amy will have a workshop for students to educate them about all the different ways to share, and the licensing options. I think it’s knowledge that is needed beyond even this class. 

Amy: The Certificate in OEP program helped me expand my foundational knowledge of OEP and gave me additional tools to help faculty and students understand the nuances of open and how it can impact student learning. I am better equipped to address the impacts of working in open, both the benefits and areas that still need to be improved upon.  

Specifically, I appreciate the conversations we’ve had around working with knowledge-creating communities and how we share that knowledge. It was also a great opportunity to collaborate with Stéphanie on this unique project.

Stéphanie: Initially, as an Open Educational Resource (OER) co-authored by Géraldine Blattner, Amanda Dalola, and myself, #OnYGo offered a distinctive opportunity to alleviate financial burdens associated with educational expenses. By utilizing a completely free textbook and workbook, we aimed to enhance the accessibility of language learning for all students, irrespective of their financial circumstances.

Furthermore, beyond its financial accessibility, #OnYGo embodies a dedication to challenging conventional language teaching methods. It redefines the francophone landscape, promotes awareness of language diversity and identity, encourages inclusivity, and empowers learners through approaches such as translanguaging and the integration of digital tools. As an OER, #OnYGo serves as a model for the evolution of language education towards greater equity, diversity, and empowerment in the modern era.

Stéphanie: The title holds several layers of meaning. Firstly, "#OnYGo" serves as a play on words, combining the phrase "On y go" from French, meaning "Let's go there," with the popular social media hashtag format. This title reflects our intention to create a dynamic and engaging resource that encourages students to actively participate and explore the French language and culture.

Additionally, the significance of the social media reference lies in its representation of contemporary communication practices. By incorporating elements of social media into the title, we acknowledge the role that digital platforms play in shaping modern language use and cultural exchange. We hope to leverage this familiarity with social media to make #OnYGo more relatable and accessible to today's learners, while also emphasizing the interactive and collaborative nature of the resource.

Amy: I anticipate a variety of opportunities for library support! For students, understanding information ethics and the role of choice in information creation.  For instructors, considering appropriate tools for their learning goals with a focus on sustainability. And finally, building relationships with other like-minded folks, both on campus and off, to create a community around open.

Stéphanie: One key takeaway from the certificate program was recognizing the importance of educating students about different methods of sharing their work and the available licensing options. This knowledge will extend beyond the French class and has implications for students' digital literacy and professional development.

Also, I believe our institutions could gain from providing more collaborative opportunities. Operating in isolated silos isn't conducive to progress and should be avoided.

Amy: It doesn’t matter how long you have been working in OEP, there is always more to learn!  

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Interested in implementing OEP on your campus? Visit the OEN Certificate in Open Educational Practices webpage or email Tanya Grosz, Director of Educational Programs for the OEN.

OEN members, join us at OEN Engage! this summer, July 22-26!  Our community's virtual gathering will feature complimentary opportunities for you to learn more about open pedagogy. The 2024 session lineup is coming soon!