The Affordable and Open Educational Resources (AOER)  Committee is thrilled to announce the 2023-24 OER Course Conversion Grant recipients. This competitive grant program, funded by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, aids educators in transitioning classes from traditional materials to Open Educational Resources (OER). These grants make high-quality learning materials more accessible to students. 

Ten faculty and instructors were selected for their proposals, receiving grants ranging from $1,500 to $2,000. They join a cohort of 74 individuals who've converted 71 courses to OER since 2019. 

Individual Recipients: 

• Dr. Michael Aldridge, Nursing: NURS 471 Evidence-Based Teaching
• Diana Becker, Nursing: NURS 374 Clinical: Adult Health
• Dr. Hannah Glick, Communication Sciences and Disorders: CSD 487 Advanced Audiology and CSD 564 Audiology Clinical Simulation
• Dr. Constantin Gurdgiev, Finance: BAFN 495 Entrepreneurial Finance
• Dr. Jiacheng Liu, History: HIST 113 Asian Civilization from 1500
• Dr. Corinne Wieben, History: HIST 264 Magic in Europe from Antiquity to Enlightenment 

Team Recipients: 

• Jarae Fulton, Communication Studies, and Julie Kennedy, Business: BA 205 Business Communications
• Dr. Teresa Higgins, Biological Sciences, and Byron Straw, Earth and Atmospheric Science: SCI 266 Earth and Life Science 

OER not only saves students money but also supports student success. A recent UNC study  that compared OER and non-OER class sections showed higher passing and course completion rates for all students in classes with OER, including first-generation, Pell-eligible and underrepresented students.  

The AOER Committee is dedicated to advancing open educational practices and hopes the UNC community will join them in congratulating these grant recipients on their commitment to affordability and student success.