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OER/ZTC

A guide for Open Educational Resources (OER) and where to find them.

What Is the ZTC Grant?

The Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Grant helps Pierce College faculty take advantage of the flexibility of Open Educational Resources (OER) and other free materials. The grant provides stipends and support to help instructors design ZTC courses and create reusable MasterClass templates that others in their departments can use.

This initiative marks the first phase of a larger plan to create full ZTC/OER degree pathways at Pierce.

Create a ZTC POCR Course – $1000 Stipend

Receive $1000 to convert one of your classes to a ZTC POCR course. You may use a MasterClass shell if one is available for your course.

Requirements:

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

  • You are open to feedback and willing to make revisions based on CVC-OEI guidelines and ZTC Team recommendations.

How to Get Started

  1. Email Heather Kokorowski who serves as Pierce’s Peer Online Course Review (POCR) Lead and a member of the ZTC Team.
    • Include your course name and number (e.g., PHIL 006).
    • Confirm that you meet the two eligibility requirements above.
  2. You’ll be added to the “Pierce ZTC Course Design Academy” Canvas Shell, which includes step-by-step tutorials and support materials on how to create a ZTC MasterClass.
    • Plan to spend about two hours reviewing resources and integrating materials into your MasterClass shell.
  3. Submit your course for ZTC Team review.
  4. Once approved, you’ll receive your $1000 stipend.

What is the ZTC Course Design Academy?

The ZTC Course Design Academy provides guidance and resources to help you build an accessible, high-quality ZTC MasterClass that meets California Virtual Campus–Online Education Initiative (CVC-OEI) standards.

Create a ZTC MasterClass – $500 Stipend

After creating your POCR class, through the ZTC Course Design Academy, you have the option to design a ZTC MasterClass in your discipline to share with colleagues. You’ll receive a $500 stipend plus additional training and support when your course is approved by the ZTC Team. Please email Heather Kokorowski to get started.

What is a MasterClass?

MasterClasses are ZTC course templates that are uploaded to Canvas Commons, where they can be adopted, adapted, and reused by other faculty in your discipline.

We hope you’ll take part in this exciting opportunity to lead your discipline toward a more affordable, accessible, and innovative learning experience for Pierce students!