Champions of open educational resources eligible for annual award

The Office of Academic Affairs and the Open CU Steering Team are accepting nominations for the annual Open Educational Resources (OER) Champion Award.

The award celebrates an educator from each of the four University of Colorado campuses who contributes to the open educational movement, increases campus and system awareness of OER, and/or galvanizes interest in exploring, adopting and creating OER to benefit CU students.

The honor includes a one-time cash award of $500 added to the recipient’s monthly salary.

According to Creative Commons, “Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching, learning and research materials that are either (a) in the public domain or (b) licensed in a manner that provides everyone with free and perpetual permission to engage in the 5R activities.” OER include digital learning materials such as open textbooks, courses, syllabi, lectures, assignments, quizzes, lab activities, games and simulations.

All members of the CU educational community are eligible for the award. Nominations will be reviewed by the Open CU Steering Team and the CU system Office of Academic Affairs. Selections will be based on criteria such as educational impact and innovation toward a culture of open knowledge sharing and access. 

Nominations will be accepted via this online form Jan. 25-Feb. 12. Up to one awardee from each campus will be notified by Feb. 23 and presented with their award, a digital badge and a $500 honorarium. Awardees who can attend will be honored at a virtual award presentation the first week of March.

— Jaimie Henthorn and Merinda McLure