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Next Call for Open Education Grant Proposals Closes June 25th, 2020

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Congratulations to the June 1st grant recipients!

  • Create a Plant ID Video Library to assist students and nature enthusiasts in learning to identify 75+ local native plant species, Hélène Marcoux
  • Create an inventory of data points and a set of georeferenced PDF self-guided tour maps of parks with important plant species identified, Stacey Auld
  • Create a textbook for MECH 8230 – System Design, Mehrzad Tabatabaian
  • Create a database management and systems questions and answers bank, Amir Amintabar
  • Create an interactive textbook on web server administration, Quan (Frederic) Guo

In the 2020/21 Mandate Letter from Melanie Mark, BC Minister of Advanced Education, Skills, and Training, BCIT is directed to make substantive progress on the following priority:

  • Advancing and supporting open learning resources.

BCIT has received funding from BCCampus to continue its open education grant program, to support the adoption, revision, and creation of openly licensed learning resources.

A few advantages of using and developing OER:

  • OER is shared in digital format so it is easy to add openly licensed materials to online learning management systems.
  • Open licenses give various permissions that usually allow the user to retain, reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute the materials.
  • OER encompasses a wide range of materials including textbooks, presentation slides, handouts, videos, images, and much more.
  • Instructors have control over the learning materials they use in their classroom – OER can be customized or created to support class learning outcomes.
  • Students can engage in meaningful class work to help create or improve open learning materials.
  • Courses with low or no learning materials costs provide a significant advantage to students in lowering financial barriers to post-secondary education.

Grant Categories

Adoption – up to $250 – review and adopt an open textbook or other open learning resource, this can include minor revisions to customize it

Revision – up to $2K – take an existing OER and make substantial revisions to better suit class learning outcomes

Creation – up to $8K – create a learning resource – this can be in any category or format, eg.: textbook, video series, question or test banks

Key Dates for Summer Rolling Call

There will be a rolling call for grant applications for any of the grant categories over the summer.

Deadline 1: June 1, 2020

Deadline 2: June 29, 2020

Deadline 3:  July 27, 2020

Deadline 4:  August 24, 2020

Support

The LTC and the Library can provide some support for grant projects. Request for this support should be part of the grant application.

BCIT Library is running an open education publishing program pilot over the next several months. If you have digital learning materials that are suitable for conversion to PressBooks and that you want to license openly, the library will do that conversion for you.

Additional Information

Open BCIT is sponsored by the AVP, Education Support and Innovation, and is supported by the Open Education Working Group, the Library, and the Learning and Teaching Centre. BCIT Open Education Working Group supports and promotes the development and use of OER and OE teaching practices. The Group is under the umbrella of Education Council’s Educational Technology and Learning Design Committee (ETLDC).

Open education grant funds, for the most part, are distributed as part-time studies contracts so are subjected to tax and benefits deductions.

All learning materials developed in whole or part with the support of an open education grant must be licensed openly and deposited in the BCIT Open Institutional Repository.

Find our more about Open Education at BCIT

Review BCIT’s Open Education Best Practices and Guidelines

Open Education Grant application form

AskAway term 3 (May-June) : dates and hours of service

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Service Dates: Monday, May 18, 2020 – Sunday, July 5, 2020

BCIT AskAway Chat: https://www.bcit.ca/library/askalibrarian.shtml

Hours of Service 

Monday-Thursday: 9am – 9pm
Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday: 11am – 5pm
Sunday: 10am – 9pm

AskAway will be closed on the following Stat Holidays

Closed: Mon, May 18, 2020
Closed: Wed, July 1, 2020

April 2020 Stats: How are we doing serving BCIT Students online?

In April 2020, we worked a full month of reference service online using the AskAway chat:

  • 92 BCIT Students were helped in April
  • We spent 19.5 hours online serving BCIT Students 
  • Average session time per student was 12.5 minutes

Just a few BCIT Student Comments from April 2020:

4/2/2020 (14 minute session w a BCIT Student) Help with CSA Standards Database:
BCIT Student: Actually, I finally could search their database. I am able to find it now. Thanks a lot for the help!

4/6/2020 (26 seconds session w a BCIT Student) Help with Linkedin Learning:
BCIT Student: do we still have access to LinkedIn learning? I tried it does not let me in. is there a new way to access it?
Librarian: Yes we do. I will check that it’s working.
Librarian: Here is the link:
BCIT Student: it works omg. thank you so much!

4/9/2020 (35 seconds session w a BCIT Student) Circulation question:
BCIT Student: how do I renew a loan online? I borrowed HoloLens and can’t return now,
Librarian: I believe everything  is being automatically renewed until May (or until we reopen) – but you may want to send a note to libcirc@bcit.ca just to confirm, since this is an A/V item
BCIT Student: Thank you

4/14/2020 (9 minutes session w a BCIT Student) Reference question:
BCIT Student: hello, I am looking for information for a project
Librarian:  What is your project? Which program are you in?
Librarian: Are you looking for this information from an environmental standpoint, or a business standpoint or? ..
Librarian:  OK – let me have a look…
Librarian: So maybe something like this?  …
BCIT Student: that is fantastic
BCIT Student: That article and the references it has should get me most of the way through this project. Thank you so much!

4/28/2020: (22 seconds session w a BCIT Student) Textbook, Bookstore question:
BCIT Student: Thank you so much! Really appreciate it! 4/30/2020: (12 seconds session w a BCIT Student) Citation question:
Librarian: OK – I’m going to send to the link to citation style info.
BCIT Student: awesome thanks!!

BCIT AskAway Chat with A Librarian Service 

Our Students Can Get Help Online with:

  • research
  • citations
  • using the library
  • finding materials
  • journal databases
  • other library topics

 Link to BCIT AskAway Chat: https://www.bcit.ca/library/askalibrarian.shtml

About AskAway 

AskAway is a chat reference service for BC’s post-secondary institutions.
AskAway sessions are in real-time, and are staffed by Librarians from post-secondary institutions in B.C.

BCIT Open Education Grant Program

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In the 2020/21 Mandate Letter from Melanie Mark, BC Minister of Advanced Education, Skills, and Training, BCIT is directed to make substantive progress on the following priority:

  • Advancing and supporting open learning resources.

BCIT has received funding from BCCampus to continue its open education grant program, to support the adoption, revision, and creation of openly licensed learning resources.

A few advantages of using and developing OER:

  • OER is shared in digital format so it is easy to add openly licensed materials to online learning management systems.
  • Open licenses give various permissions that usually allow the user to retain, reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute the materials.
  • OER encompasses a wide range of materials including textbooks, presentation slides, handouts, videos, images, and much more.
  • Instructors have control over the learning materials they use in their classroom – OER can be customized or created to support class learning outcomes.
  • Students can engage in meaningful class work to help create or improve open learning materials.
  • Courses with low or no learning materials costs provide a significant advantage to students in lowering financial barriers to post-secondary education.

Grant Categories

Adoption – up to $250 – review and adopt an open textbook or other open learning resource, this can include minor revisions to customize it

Revision – up to $2K – take an existing OER and make substantial revisions to better suit class learning outcomes

Creation – up to $8K – create a learning resource – this can be in any category or format, eg.: textbook, video series, question or test banks

Key Dates for Summer Rolling Call

There will be a rolling call for grant applications for any of the grant categories over the summer.

Deadline 1: June 1, 2020

Deadline 2: June 29, 2020

Deadline 3:  July 27, 2020

Deadline 4:  August 24, 2020

Support

The LTC and the Library can provide some support for grant projects. Request for this support should be part of the grant application.

BCIT Library is running an open education publishing program pilot over the next several months. If you have digital learning materials that are suitable for conversion to PressBooks and that you want to license openly, the library will do that conversion for you.

Additional Information

Open BCIT is sponsored by the AVP, Education Support and Innovation, and is supported by the Open Education Working Group, the Library, and the Learning and Teaching Centre. BCIT Open Education Working Group supports and promotes the development and use of OER and OE teaching practices. The Group is under the umbrella of Education Council’s Educational Technology and Learning Design Committee (ETLDC).

Open education grant funds, for the most part, are distributed as part-time studies contracts so are subjected to tax and benefits deductions.

All learning materials developed in whole or part with the support of an open education grant must be licensed openly and deposited in the BCIT Open Institutional Repository.

Find our more about Open Education at BCIT

Review BCIT’s Open Education Best Practices and Guidelines

Open Education Grant application form

FREE webinar series … Learn. Balance. Thrive.

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The BCIT Student Association is partnering with Rhodes Wellness College to launch a new webinar series to help you build stronger connections with yourself and others. These free 1 hour webinars will explore popular topics that BCIT students have requested resources on including; building healthy relationships through communication & conflict resolution skills, tools to help you manage and express challenging emotions such as uncertainty about the future and how to deal with lack of motivation or low energy when they interfere with our goals and relationships.

For more information visit: https://www.bcitsa.ca/student-services/wellness/online-services/

Openly Licensed Learning Material

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FSA Member & BCIT Librarian, Lin Brander. Lin is the Open Education Librarian at BCIT. She is Co-Chair of BCIT’s Open Education Working Group and Chairs the BCOEL (BC Open Education Librarians)

This is an ideal time for faculty to consider licensing and using open educational resources (OER). Using OER can save faculty time and effort as openly licensed materials can be adopted as they are or adapted to suit class learning objectives. Students will benefit from low or zero textbook costs (ZTC).

A Few Advantages of Using OER

  • OER is shared in digital format so it is easy to add openly licensed materials to online learning management systems.
  • Using OER means that you do not have to start from scratch. Open licenses give you various permissions that usually allow you to do the following with the materials: retain, reuse, revise, remix, redistribute.
  • OER encompasses a wide range of materials, including textbooks, presentation slides, handouts, videos, images, and much more.

If you are looking for OER, you can start here and you can contact your liaison librarians via email for help.

Openly Licensing Learning Materials

Creators of open educational resources retain the copyright for their work. While their intellectual property is protected, the authors have chosen to release their work using an open license which gives non-exclusive, worldwide, indefinite permissions for others to use the work without contacting the author. Creative Commons is the organization that has created the licenses, and legal way, for you to do this.

BCIT’s Open Education Publishing Program Pilot

BCIT Library is running an open education publishing program pilot over the next several months. If you have digital learning materials that are suitable for conversion to PressBooks and that you want to license openly, the library will do that conversion for you.

Library Materials

This is also a good time for faculty to explore the BCIT library databases for learning materials to use with students to help keep student costs low – there are thousands of fully online books, journals articles, training videos, and much more online.

You can contact your liaison librarians via email for help; or, chat with a BCIT Librarian 11-3 weekdays through AskAway.

3D Ear Savers for Health Care Workers

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MediaWorks and our colleagues in the School of Health Sciences and the School of Energy have been doing some amazing work to support front-line health workers with the COVID-19 crisis. With the freed up 3D printing capacity,  MediaWorks, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Dept., and the Biomedical Engineering Technology Dept. have been able to print “ear savers” which make wearing masks more comfortable for health care workers. They are able to produce approximately 100 ear savers per day, 2,144 which have been delivered via SoHS to BCW, RCH, ARH, SMH, VGH, and BCIT SoHS students.

Huge kudos to Richard Te, Treena Cardiff, Anna Chou, Jeff Dyck, William Han, and Mohammed Alnaeb for their initiative and support for this effort.

3D printer in action

All boxed up for delivery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ear Saver in use

Happy recipients!

COVID-19 : Instructors Can Now Pick up Material From the Library

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Instructors please first contact your liaison librarian for recommendations on eResources that support your programs. If you don’t know the name of the liaison librarian for your program you can refer to this link https://libguides.bcit.ca/?b=s

In the event that librarians are unable to find eResources for your program you can make arrangements to pick up materials from the Library.

Borrowing procedure

Instructors please submit your requests by 4:00 pm Wednesday to libcirc@bcit.ca .

Requests should include the following information:

  • Liaison librarian’s name
  • Title of the materials to pick up
  • Call# of the materials
  • Your name & A#

Materials will be available for pick up on Thursdays.

Delivery methods

Burnaby Campus Library:

  • Instructors will be able to pick up their materials between 10:30 – 12:00.
  • Please bring a bag with you to place your library materials in.
  • Enter the library lobby from the north side entrance doors.  These doors will be propped open so you do not need to touch anything.
  • Let our staff member know your name.  They will sign the book you’ve requested out to you.
  • Please give our staff member at least 6 feet of distance to safely approach the table in the lobby.  They will place your book on the table.  When the staff member has left the area, you may go to the table and pick up your book and put it in your bag.
  • There will be a bottle of hand sanitizer on the table.  Please sanitize your hands after placing the library materials in your bag.
  • Please exit the library through the same doors you came in.
  • We recommend that you wash your hands each time you handle the library materials for three days after pick up to avoid the transmission of any germs.
  • Instructors will not be able to make requests for additional items when they pick up materials.

ATC Library:

  • Materials will be signed out to the instructor and delivered to the instructor’s mailbox by 11 am.
  • Instructors will not be able to make requests for additional items when they pick up materials.

BMC Library:

  • Materials will be signed out to the instructor and delivered to the instructor’s office by 11 am.
  • Instructors will not be able to make requests for additional items when they pick up materials.

Due Dates

  • Borrowers can keep the materials to the due date unless we receive a request for the same materials then you will be required to return them.

Virtual Exam Jam : Spring 2020

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In light of the current situation, our in-person Exam Jam in the Library has been cancelled. However, exciting new events and tools can be accessed virtually. A guide with some online resources for time management and study skills as well as links to wellness apps and virtual events can be found in the link below:

https://libguides.bcit.ca/examjamonline

All resources are available now and continue into May. New sources are added on a regular basis so check back often.

New BCITSA Resources Available to Students

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We hope you and your family are well during this stressful and uncertain time. The BCITSA and the Wellness department has been transitioning many of our services (including Career Services, Advocacy, Entrepreneurship and Mentor programs) to be delivered online and via telephone to continue to provide support to students.

New BCITSA Wellness Programs: See the attached e-newsletter with new online wellness programs and services for current students including; online emotional support groups, virtual nutrition coaching, mindfulness & resiliency online training, stress & anxiety management webinars and a MindBody wellness retreat. Please note the deadline to sign up for the MindBody Virtual Retreat is Monday March 30th, so if possible, please share the newsletter attachment with students this week.

BCITSA Wellness Newsletter – April 2020 Edition compressed

BCITSA Careers Website: for information on online and telephonic career services for students and alumni: https://www.bcitsa.ca/careerservices/students-and-alumni/

NEW BCITSA Covid-19 Information Hub: For latest news on our services and for FAQ from students during the covid-19 pandemic, please visit our new website: https://www.bcitsa.ca/infohub/

 

 

BCIT Library Resources and Services during the Transition to Online Learning

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As per President Kathy Kinloch update on space closures Tuesday (March 17th, 2020), all BCIT libraries and the Eh-pod are closed until further notice. Most of the Library Faculty and Staff will be working from home to continue to provide the excellent services you are all accustomed to.

The Library has many online guides created by the Librarians to support the various programs on campus. The guides contain links to relevant resources (online articles, e-books, streaming video) accessible from off-campus:

We have also created a Guide to keep you updated on how the Library is intending to support you during this transition:

https://libguides.bcit.ca/Covid

Learning Commons is working on trying to find an online platform so that tutoring can continue and our tutors can work from home too. Check for developments here: https://www.bcit.ca/learningcommons/

WriteAway continues to operate during the library closure https://www.writeaway.ca/

Contact us: