AOER Blog

Open educational resources: A student perspective by Malaika Michel-Fuller, UNC student trustee

03/07/2019

Jen Mayer

Education

Malaika Michel-Fuller When I first began learning about open education and open educational resources, I was immediately intrigued by the prospect of providing affordable and high-quality services that support authors, curriculum designers, and educators while also considering financial obligations of students. I am a strong advocate for increasing the affordability of education for students, and I speak personal experience; my undergraduate course materials range across disciplines such as Economics, English, and Anthropology, and access to the wealth of texts and resources my professors prescribe reflects a heavy price tag. Serving on UNC’s OER committee has allowed me to further engage in dialogue and critical inquiry about the topic alongside higher education professionals, and through this process I have developed a greater understanding of the vital role students play the implementation and sustenance of OER on an institutional campus.

Promoting open resources is a natural fit for student advocacy, given concerns about the rising cost of higher education. Students are interested in saving money and excited by the opportunity for student work, ranging from class projects to undergraduate manuscripts being made publicly available, reusable and revisable by others. UNC houses a multitude of engaged student governance groups and leadership organizations that can serve as a valuable asset at the table when in conversations with administrators, state legislators, and other prominent stakeholders. As a 3-term member of UNC’s Student Senate, I draw parallels between the legislative advocacy my organization engages in and endeavors by campus professionals to institute OER on campus and cultivate an open education culture. As our institution continues to shift and grow, I look forward to collaboration between students and the educators, administrators, and campus members who deliver us the quality education and services that define our student experience at UNC.

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