2 research outputs found
Approaches of Digital Pedagogies for the Appreciation and Preservation of Local Trans and Multilingual Cultural Heritages
In an effort to provide culturally and linguistically relevant Spanish as a Heritage Language (SHL) programs in the United States, several language programs have turned to creating digital language learning and teaching materials using various data sources, digital tools, methodologies, cultural practices, digital humanities platforms and projects, as well as Open Educational Resources (OER). This facilitates innovative knowledge production that preserves local translingual and multilingual cultural heritages and identities of Spanish HLLs from multiracial backgrounds in the US in analog and online spaces. Current initiatives in multilingual, decolonial, postcolonial Digital Humanities (DH) are pushing back against the aporias in the digital age through ethical production and representation of subjects, cultures, languages and stories that have been othered, marginalized, excluded or misrepresented (Risam, 2019: 141). Furthermore, SHL sociolinguists encourage the development of critical language and cultural awareness among Spanish HLL student populations. This approach allows students to “develop a consciousness of the political, social, and economic power structures that underlie language use and the distribution of the so-called prestige and non-prestigious varieties” and “validate(s) and express(es) the diversity of students’ cultures, including US-based heritage cultures” (Beaudrie & Wilson, 2022: 67). With this in mind, in this panel, experts in the fields of SHL, DH and OER will present an OER for introductory SHL classes that connects learning and teaching materials using digital technologies and tools while also centering personal, local, and regional cultural community knowledge of South Texas to encourage production of their own stories and resources in the digital cultural record and an appreciation and preservation of their trans and multilingual identities and cultural heritages. Additionally, this panel will discuss the steps being taken by the R1 HSI university funding the development of this OER to infuse open pedagogy principles across disciplines in order to cultivate deeper student engagement
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Leaping into OER at UT San Antonio: Leveraging Partnerships and Communication to Spur Growth
This presentation will provide a snapshot of UTSA librarians’ work with OER in the past year and a half and will present future strategies for OER expansion. The UTSA Libraries began exploring OER in 2015, essentially starting from scratch in an unfamiliar realm. Since then, we have made substantial strides in building a framework to support OER awareness and adoption. In addition to learning about UTSA’s program, the audience will be encouraged to brainstorm, in small groups, strategies for improving existing OER programs and frameworks. What can we learn from each other to build more robust and effective OER programs?
We’ve drafted an OER library project plan with measurable outcomes as part of our partnership with OpenStax, leveraging their expertise in growing OER adoption on college campuses. In addition to our OpenStax partnership, we have also worked closely with campus partners to spur OER growth: the Libraries’ relationships with the Office of the Provost, the Faculty Center, the Teaching and Learning Center, Office of the Registrar, Online Learning, the Campus Bookstore, and our Student Government Association have been crucial to the success of our initiative. Our OER faculty grant program, now in its second year, will be outlined in detail with special emphases on communication strategies, partner relationships, and our scoring and selection process for applications. In addition to learning about UTSA’s program, the audience will be encouraged to brainstorm, in small groups, strategies for improving existing OER programs and frameworks. What can we learn from each other to build more robust and effective OER programs? This track is for beginner or intermediate OER program leaders.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a Hispanic-serving institution with 46% of our 30,000 students identifying as first-generation college students. One critical aspect of UTSA’s mission is to provide access to higher education for residents of South Central Texas. Currently, UTSA’s four-year graduation rate is 11%; increasing this number has been identified as a high priority for the entire University. UTSA Librarians believe increasing access to open educational resources (OER) supports and advances this effort. OER research reveals a relationship between textbook access and course outcomes, allowing for more engaged classrooms, student savings, and correlates with a decrease in students dropping and failing courses. OER advocacy is a natural fit for UTSA, and aligns well with our mission and institutional goals