Developing engaging, versatile assignments across curricula using OER is never easy. Use MERLOT to bring challenging and relevant material to your students. Work with members of the MERLOT Teacher Education Board to explore sample assignments and learn how to create your own student-centered assignments from MERLOT materials.
Using open educational practices (OEP) to create teaching and learning materials (including assignments) has proven effective in "increas(ing) student learning while breaking down barriers of affordability and accessibility." (https://oer.psu.edu/benefits-ofusing-oer/, 2019) This session will provide a process for virtual and onsite attendees to develop meaningful assignments for and with their students. The session will include an overview of MERLOT, how to search for materials and assignments, and how to use them for teaching and learning. Using the Learning Exercise Template makes it easy to create an assignment for any material within MERLOT. Additionally, faculty and students can embed assignments in a MERLOT Content Builder page to share with others and/or to submit to MERLOT. Presenters will give examples of assignments they have developed using MERLOT tools and resources. Attendees will break into small groups to work on enhancing an already published assignment in MERLOT, with presenters serving as resources; virtual attendees will have online mentors through the use of a Zoom room. The virtual and face-to-face breakout session will conclude with sharing practices and examples that have surfaced during the discussion; participants can include their work in a link available to all attendees. At the end of the presentation, attendees should be able to use MERLOT resources to develop a new assignment or enhance an existing assignment in their discipline.
Pennsylvania State University. (2019). Benefits of Using OER. Retrieved from https://oer.psu.edu/benefits-of-using-oer/.