Affordable Learning Solutions for HBCUs: Sharing Practices, Tools, and Resources - Part 1

Pre-Conference Workshop Session 1
Streamed Session HBCU

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Brief Abstract

The 5th Annual Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) for HBCUs workshop will feature HBCU faculty, staff, and administrators sharing their practices for supporting faculty changing to no-cost and low-cost digital course materials, including OER, and saving students thousands of dollars. The workshop will include demonstrations and practice using MERLOT and SkillsCommons to support adopting no-cost course materials as well guidelines for planning your own AL$ program for your own campus.

Outline of Activities

Morning Session:

  • What is Affordable Learning Solutions and what difference can it make at your campus?
  • Institutional showcases of AL$ programs
  • Lessons learned and recommended requirements
  • Participants discussing and identifying opportunities for developing their AL$ plans

This pre-conference workshop is free for registered conference attendees interested in Affordable Learning Solutions for HBCUs. Access will be granted through the conference platform on Friday, March 12, 2021 fifteen minutes prior to the session start time. 

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Robbie Melton, HBCUs - Tennessee State University

Robbie K. Melton, Ph.D. Is a tenured professor and transitional dean of Graduate School for Tennessee State University. She is also founder and CEO of ‘RobbieTech4Teach’ and formally (20 years) Associate Vice Chancellor of Mobilization Emerging Technology for Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) assigned to develop the system’s Strategic Emerging IOE Technology Planning and provide system-wide Professional Development and Faculty Training related to education technology support and services for teaching, learning, training, and workforce development, product testing, pilots and research. Melton is currently overseeing research regarding the ‘Emerging Technology of The Internet of Everything (IoE) of Smart Connected Devices and Mixed Reality Technologies’ (VR/AR/Holograms/Wearables) for enhancing teaching, improving learning, and increasing workforce productivity; curating IOE Smart Educational Devices, Gadgets, and Tools; and primary investigator for HBCU OER Affordable Learning Solutions Pilots and OER Workforce Skills Commons

Co-presenter: Gerry Hanley, California State University - Long Beach/ MERLOT/ SkillsCommons

Gerard L. Hanley Ph.D. is the Executive Director of MERLOT (Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching, www.merlot.org) and SkillsCommons (www.skillscommons.org) for the California State University, the Director for the Center for Usability for Design and Accessibility and Professor of Psychology at California State University, Long Beach. At MERLOT and SkillsCommons, he directs the development and sustainability of the international consortium and technology strategy to provide open educational services to improve teaching and learning and continues to development the US Department of Labor's open repository of educational resources for workforce development. Gerry's previous positions include Assistance Vice Chancellor for Academic Technology Services at the CSU Office of the Chancellor, the Director of Faculty Development and Director of Strategy Planning at CSU, Long Beach.

Extended Abstract

The 5th Annual Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) for HBCUs workshop will feature HBCU faculty, staff, and administrators sharing their practices for supporting faculty changing to no-cost and low-cost digital course materials, including OER, and saving students thousands of dollars. The workshop will include demonstrations and practice using MERLOT and SkillsCommons to support adopting no-cost course materials as well guidelines for planning your own AL$ program for your own campus.

This first session will focus on:

  • What is Affordable Learning Solutions and what difference can it make at your campus?
  • Institutional showcases of AL$ programs
  • Lessons learned and recommended requirements
  • Participants discussing and identifying opportunities for developing their AL$ plans

This summit, in partnership with MERLOT and Tennessee State University, has been designed for educators at HBCUs to engage in key strategies and outcomes that create access to online education in support of student success. Focusing on the quality characteristics of online learning as well as digital strategies prioritized by HBCUs in their work in online education, this multipart summit uses actionable design practices and collaborative work to create a community of practice supporting work well beyond the conference. Join us for two distinct events as part of the HBCU Summit, as well as special networking opportunities for educators from HBCUs across the nation. Learn more on the HBCU Summit Website.