University of Minnesota (Open Education Network)

The University of Minnesota’s Open Education Network will implement a project to increase educational equity in higher education by developing models and guidance to help academic libraries formalize programs that support open education work at their institutions. The project will focus on affordability and access; contextualization and localization; and improved student engagement via open pedagogy. This project will support open education and highlight how academic libraries have an opportunity to promote education equity while also supporting faculty and student success, fostering collaboration and innovation, and enhancing institutional reputation. The project team will gather program information in two phases: First, they will collect program details via a web-based survey. These details will include program goals, services, staffing, outcomes, organizational structures, and alignment with other open initiatives. Next, they will conduct follow-up interviews with a sample of survey respondents to gain a better understanding of the context, complexities, and lessons learned from current open education program leaders.