The Massachusetts Library System is pleased to announce that we have contracted with PCI Webinars to provide our members with access to their live webinars.  These webinars are free to MLS members who register through our calendar.  Because we are working with an outside vendor, it is important that you cancel your registration in the event that you are unable to attend the live webinar.  A recording of the webinar will be available on the PCI Webinars Niche Academy website about a week after the live webinar.  If you have any issues registering or signing into the PCI Webinars Niche Academy website, please let us know.  Please do not contact PCI Webinars or Niche Academy directly about their live webinars or webinar recordings.

Open educational resources (OER) are popular resources, due in part to their contribution to creating more affordable course materials. However, OER’s benefits extend beyond just affordability, and can be used to enhance opportunities for engagement with materials.

This presentation discusses the fundamental characteristics of OER and specifically how OER can be used for engagement and inclusivity. Additionally, the presenter will describe how libraries can incorporate OER to develop agency in library users, and also to provide opportunities for library users to contribute new knowledge to the digital ecosystem.

As a result of this program, attendees will gain the skills to:

• Name key characteristics of OER
• Describe how to use OER
• Develop ideas for incorporating OER into libraries

Lauren Hays ~Biography

Lauren Hays, Ph.D., MLS is an Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology at the University of Central Missouri. Previously, she was the Instructional and Research Librarian at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. In her current role, she teaches classes on research and educational technology.  

Her professional interests include Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, teaching, information literacy, educational technology, library and information science education, teacher identity, and academic development. On a personal note, she loves dogs, traveling, and home.

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