In response to a number of requests for extensions, the deadline for the Office of Open Learning’s grants supporting online and open learning projects has been extended to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24.
“We are seeing a lot of really good ideas coming forward for exploring innovative pedagogies in online and open spaces and we want to ensure that there is enough time to put together the best possible application at such a busy time of the year,” said Nick Baker, director of the Office of Open Learning.
The grants are intended to support faculty and staff in adopting, creating, and extending openly licenced learning materials, exploring new educational technologies and innovative pedagogies, and creating online, hybrid, and open courses.
Baker adds that UWindsor is one of the few universities in Canada with grants available explicitly to support faculty in adopting open educational resources, and that adopting open resources has saved UWindsor students over $350,000 since 2018.
“We see a huge need in our community for approaches that reduce or eliminate the cost of learning materials, which are increasing exponentially and can run into thousands of dollars a year for students,” Baker said. “We also see a significant need for more flexible and online programming so that students who are working, have family responsibilities, are engaged in experiential learning, and so on can continue their studies and progress through their programs.”
There are two categories in the current grants call:
- Proposals for open, online, hybrid, and technology-enhanced courses (up to $8,500 over 12 months); and
- Proposals for adopting, creating or extending existing OERs (up to $5,000 over 12 months).
Baker strongly encourages anyone thinking of applying to contact the office to discuss their ideas before submitting a proposal. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 24 and can be emailed to higgison@uwindsor.ca with the subject line “OOL Grant proposal.”
For more information about the Office of Open Learning’s support for open educational resources and online learning, or questions about the grants, contact Baker at 519-253-3000, ext. 4925, by email: nbaker@uwindsor.ca, or drop in to the offices in the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation in the former WEEDC space at 700 California Ave.