1.9 ¿Quién lo dice?
3.5. La industria de la confianza
The working group should develop standard frameworks for use in the evaluation of other OER instructional resources. A tool for evaluating online resources should include the items listed in Task 1.
A framework could be adapted from the COTC and Saylor Foundation criteria, which are based on American Library Association guidelines. A peer-review process akin to the MERLOT model may also be considered within, or across, institutions.
Task 4 – Conduct additional investigation into adoption of online -
based commercial publications.
The working group should then conduct additional investigation into how to adopt and implement commercially published eTextbooks, including what legislative action may be needed to support implementation efforts and what funding models or fee schedules should be implemented. The working group should consider if a formal statewide initiative would benefit students who would ordinarily opt out of purchasing a book. The working group should also:
Explore Indiana University’s pilot partnership with commercial publishers since the “eTexts @ IU” initiative could be a model for the implementation of commercially produced electronic textbooks in Florida.
Consider the possibility of negotiating or coordinating statewide contracts with a publisher for eTexbtooks. Research on this topic should be conducted in conjunction with any statewide pilot implementation.
Examine the efforts of the FLVC eTextbook Licensing Workgroup. Explore key questions and issues identified by the Task Force, such as:
The potential for eTextbook or open textbook fees
The role of campus bookstores in licensing and distribution
The issue of bookstore non-compete clauses and their potential for limitations on statewide licensing of digital resources
The potential role of FLVC in negotiating statewide licensing of eTextbooks and instructional resources for Florida’s public higher education institutions.
Step 2 – FLVC should update Florida’s learning object repository to increase its accessibility and use.
Florida’s Orange Grove initiative, as well as OER trends throughout the United States, demonstrate the need for a statewide repository for quality, reusable electronic learning objects for open use across institutions. Continuation of such a statewide repository promotes cross-institution collaboration and sharing, and can reduce the cost of course materials for students. Today, the Florida Orange Grove currently supports this need. However, the management, updating and maintenance, and funding of the repository have not kept pace with the need. Florida’s repository needs updating technologically, and issues such as funding, quality assurance of included resources, accessibility and usability, and promotion for statewide faculty need to occur. Currently, it is difficult for users to identify and locate resources and there is a lack of adequate funding to support the repository efforts.
Therefore, the FLVC (through a competitive procurement) should select two lead institutions (one from the university system and one from the college system) to collaborate with its staff in defining how the statewide repository for eTexts, eResources, and learning objects should be adapted and changed in light of current postsecondary needs and changes in technology. This group should examine the following four strategic items:
What is the purpose and scope of Florida’s online repository?
Should the current technology supporting the Orange Grove continue to be used? Is there a better product on the market to support this effort? Alternatively, should the repository be incorporated into the FLVC’s future library management system?
How should information be placed into the repository for most effective use by faculty and potentially students?
Should a peer review of materials be considered?
How to collect and evaluate learning objects prior to their addition in the statewide repository?
What budget and timeline is required to make the desired changes to the online repository or to incorporate it effectively into the future library management system?
The focus on the new repository should be to address state-level educational and workforce needs and to identify where efficiencies can be gained through sharing. The focus of these efforts should be on supporting high-demand courses or program recommendations by the BOG’s Commission on Access and Educational Attainment.
Based on these questions, the FLVC should develop a legislative budget request to update or replace the repository. Once funding is available, implementation should begin.
Cost/Benefit
The minimal cost to create a working group as part of the Members Council on Distance Learning and Student Services to set guidelines and standards would be offset by the gains achieved in providing statewide direction on the use of eTextbooks and other shareable materials.
A statewide repository to support the sharing of eTextbooks, eResources, and learning objects will require initial and ongoing legislative funding, but should lower the cost of course development and the student materials costs. Shareable statewide materials will provide faculty access to more value- added content, affordable or no-cost online resources, and high-quality educational resources.