What does it take to move from the idea of open education to meaningful, accessible practice? This lightning talk shares the design and implementation of a fully OER undergraduate course built to meet the needs of a diverse student population requiring free, virtual, and accessible materials. Drawing from a curated collection of open resources and high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), the course not only removed cost barriers but also introduced students to a range of tools they can access in their future classrooms.
This session explores the intentional decisions behind selecting, organizing, and integrating OER and HQIM to bridge the space between access and application. Attendees will gain insight into how exposure to multiple high-quality, openly available resources can empower future educators to make informed, equitable instructional choices.
Attendees of this session will be able to:- Describe key considerations when designing a fully OER course for accessibility and equity.
- Identify strategies for integrating multiple HQIM within an OER framework.
- Explain how exposure to diverse open resources supports pre-service teacher development.
- Apply practical approaches to bridging the gap between open access and instructional practice.
