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Affordable Learning Lander (ALL): Showcase: Professors for Affordable Learning

2024 Professors for Affordable Learning (PAL)

College of Arts & Humanities

Asma Nazim-Starnes* (Art + Design)

College of Behavioral & Social Sciences

Heather Bennett (Psychological Science & Human Services)

Michael Patrick Graham (Psychological Science & Human Services)

College of Education

Dr. Diego Ferreira, Department of Physical Education & Exercise Science

Dr. Matthew Collier, Department of Teacher Education

College of Science & Mathematics

Dr. David Gardner, Department of Physical Sciences

Dr. Paige Ouzts, Department of Physical Sciences

Dr. Whitney Craig, Department of Physical Sciences

Dr. Melissa Hayes, Department of Biology

Dr. Samuel Reed, Department of Mathematics & Computing

Dr. Josie Ryan, Department of Mathematics & Computing

Dr. Chase Worley, Department of Mathematics & Computing

*Professor Nazim-Starnes had previously received this award and was again recognized for offering an additional course that fit the PAL award criteria.

2023 PALs pictured from left to right: Dr. Lucas McMillan, Asma Nazim-Starnes, Kim Spangler, Zachary Wilson and Dr. Trevor Leach. (not pictured Rachel Schiera)

Our story: Librarians use OER for INFO101

Introduction to College Research book coverLander's librarians use the OER Introduction to College Research by Walter D. Butler, Aloha Sargent, and Kelsey Smith for our introductory course to information literacy, Information Now (INFO 101). The current version of this textbook, published in March 2021, is excellent for meeting our needs. It includes engaging short videos, and the discovery layer examples shown in the book are the same software that powers our Bearcat Search. The Pressbooks platform is far more accessible and usable for students than PDFs.

Lander Faculty Spotlight: Lillian Craton, Department of English and Foreign Languages

Course: ENGL 102

OER used: Freely available articles from open access journals and Lander Library Services-provided research databases.

Lander Faculty Spotlight: Kim Spangler, Department of Physical Education & Exercise Science

Courses: PEES 142 & 176

OER used: Class notes, contraindicated exercises, and body fat assessment methods provided on Blackboard, and handouts containing yoga poses

Saved each student: $100-160

Lander Faculty Spotlight: Trevor Leach, Department of Mathematics & Computing

Courses: MATH 421 & 422

OER used: Abstract Algebra: Theory and Applications, an open access textbook.

Saved each student: $78.12

Lander Faculty Spotlight: James Romaine, Department of History and Philosophy

Course: ART 371

OER used: Sculpture Today placed on course reserve in the Library, and YouTube videos.

This was a new course developed with OER.