OER/ZTC

We understand not everyone is able to make the introduction workshop, so below we have attached a recording of it that will go over what the grant is about and what the goals are we have set for it.

Please let us know if you have any questions. 

What is the ZTC Grant? 

To help our educators take advantage of the flexibility of OER resources and are equipped with the knowledge and tools to customize materials for students we have a grant that will provide stipends to be awarded to faculty who take the lead for their discipline and compile a master brochure (or course plan) shell with resources that can be used for specific courses in their department as well as for training for faculty who are interested in implementing these resources.

This part will be the beginning steps of the larger plan for a full ZTC/OER pathway.

The three ways to take advantage of this grant are detailed below.

Switch to ZTC

We will be offering a $500 stipend for faculty to switch one class to ZTC for the Spring Semester. 

• The Class can not have been shown ZTC in the class schedule previously
• The Class must show ZTC in Spring Semester Schedule
• The materials for the class must be embedded into Canvas
• Instructor must meet with Clay (or Grant representative) at least once and go over material
• Can use a MasterClass if available for course

OR

Embed ZTC materials into Canvas

• If already ZTC but materials aren't embedded into Canvas
• Materials must be embedded into Canvas
• The Class must show ZTC in Spring Semester Schedule
• Instructor must meet with Clay (or Grant representative) at least once and go over material
• Can use a MasterClass if available for course

ZTC/OER MasterClass 

The ZTC grant supports the new ZTC Course Design Academy at Pierce, through which you will create a ZTC/OER MasterClass in your discipline to share with colleagues to be completed by June 2nd, 2023. In return, you will receive a $1000 stipend, plus additional support. 

What is ZTC?  

Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) and Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials that you may freely use and reuse, without charge.  

What is the ZTC Course Design Academy? 

Through the ZTC Course Design Academy, we will show you how to incorporate your ZTC/OER resources into Canvas in a way that is not only accessible but meets quality standards that have been developed by the California Virtual Campus - Online Education Initiative (CVC-OEI). We are excited to invite you to participate!  

Basic Requirements:  

• You are DE-certified to teach online in LACCD.  

• You have the willingness to receive input on your course design and make adjustments based on the CVC-OEI guidelines and recommendations from the ZTC Team. 

How to Participate 

If you are interested in participating in the creation of a Masterclass and meet the basic requirements:

• You are DE-certified to teach online in LACCD.  

• You have the willingness to receive input on your course design and make adjustments based on the CVC-OEI guidelines and recommendations from the ZTC Team. 

Please continue reading for more information, and what you need to do to get started! 

1. When you are ready to start setting up your course, email Heather Kokorowski (kokorohd@laccd.edu), our Pierce Peer Online Course Review (POCR) Lead, and a member of our Pierce ZTC Team. In your email, specify your course name and number (i.e., PHIL 006), and confirm that you meet the two eligibility requirements listed above. Heather will set up a Canvas MasterClass shell for your ZTC course development. The deadline to request a MasterClass is February 1, 2023.  
2. Next, you will be invited to join the "Pierce ZTC Course Design Academy" in Canvas. Here, you will find support resources and tutorials on how to integrate your ZTC materials into your class in Canvas. It will take about two hours to review the content and resources. Use these resources and continue to develop your MasterClass shell. 
3. Once you think it is ready, you will submit it for review by our ZTC Team (no later than May 15, 2023, but the sooner the better!). Once the ZTC Team has approved your course, you will receive a $1000 stipend. You will also receive $150 each for up to 5 additional course design training sessions you complete as part of this process.   

We hope you will consider taking advantage of this amazing opportunity to work with trained colleagues to design an amazing ZTC course!  

Equity issue.  

• Our own surveys have shown that students cite the cost of textbooks as a barrier 
• Students will take classes without buying the books b/c of cost.
• Faculty have said they can tell when they don’t have the book. 

Faculty freedom 

• Faculty aren’t forced with trying to adapt a book to fit the material they want to teach 
• Don’t have to worry about edition changes every year 
• They aren’t forced to work with just one book, can mix and match sources to create the book they want for the students.