10. Navigating OER: Jeff Gallant and Affordable Learning Georgia

Are you exploring the possibility of incorporating low or no-cost educational materials into your course? Whether you're just curious about these resources or ready to integrate them into your teaching, this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed helps you get started.  

In this month's episode, we're joined by Jeff Gallant, the program director of Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG). ALG is on a mission to support student success and promote equitable access to education by advocating for the use of affordable and open educational resources. 

Jeff delves into the world of Open Educational Resources (OER) and provides guidance on how you can kickstart the process of identifying materials for your course. For faculty within the University System of Georgia, there are faculty, library, and design champions available on campus to assist you in this endeavor. Jeff also shares invaluable insights on how you can harness the advantages of OER, from enhancing your teaching materials to alleviating financial burdens for students. Discover how OER can be a game-changer for you and a catalyst for student achievement as we explore how these open resources level the academic playing field.  

Additionally, Jeff provides a breakdown of the potential cost savings for students in Georgia when courses adopt free textbooks. If you're an educator in search of open textbooks, Jeff offers practical tips to navigate this transformative landscape in education. 

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find more episodes and resources on our show page. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.