CarolTraveny
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Hi Christopher.
I have to admit I’m biased, but yes, I think OER is definitely something that will benefit both students and faculty. My interest started a few years ago when I saw a presentation about students working with their instructors to create course material that was then freely shared for others to use and adapt. It seemed like such a wonderful way to engage and make students real agents in their own learning. This is only one of many possibilities. Most recently, I have been focused on the issue of textbook affordability at our college, which is where most conversations start. If low cost/no cost, good quality, accessible textbooks are available, students don’t have to decide between paying for books or paying for food, for gas, for the rent…There is so much information on OER and Open Education available I hardly know where to point you first, but here’s a link to a great overview from Educause: https://library.educause.edu/-/media/files/library/2010/5/eli7061-pdf.pdf
Hope this gives you some information. I’m really interested in hearing your thoughts.
Let’s keep the conversation going! Thanks!
CarolHi Chris.
Sorry for taking so long to respond! I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.Our library has had both a Facebook and Instagram account at least since 2015. We recognize that FB is mainly used by community members (rather than students); our Instagram account is popular. We use it to update schedules, promote activities and events in the library, and generally spread goodwill. (Bryn Athyn College also has social media accounts, particularly the Athletic Department and Admissions.)
However, my original question relates to the reports released over the last several months about social media companies (in particular Facebook and Instagram) that knowingly continued operations as usual, despite evidence that those practices exacerbated the spread of misinformation, and was actually harmful. Here’s a link to summarize: https://www.npr.org/2021/10/25/1049015366/the-facebook-papers-what-you-need-to-know
In any case, we have been discussing whether it is morally right for our Library to continue to support Facebook and Instagram through the use of our accounts. At this point, Bryn Athyn College does not have a policy regarding this, though conversations here generally indicate that participation in social media is a necessary evil, needed for outreach, and that the College monitors content on its sites. The issue reminds me of stances taken by institutions (including colleges and universities) to divest assets tied to South Africa during apartheid (1970s-80s).
I was just wondering if other institutions have social media policies that address this.
Thanks!
Carol
