Creating Open Educational Resources (OER) can feel like a daunting task. From understanding open licensing to navigating publishing platforms and designing accessible materials, the process often raises the same question: Where do I begin? This summer, the 2026 Summer Sprint for Zero Textbook Costs cohort demonstrated that one of the best ways to answer that question is by bringing people together to learn these foundational concepts.
Rather than asking faculty to tackle OER creation independently, the Summer Sprint was designed as an interactive, collaborative experience that combined practical workshops with dedicated working time. Using a fast-paced approach, over a two-day period, participants learned the fundamentals of open education but also had opportunities to immediately apply what they learned to their own projects. Thus, kickstarting their projects!
Day 1:
First, we established a strong foundation by introducing participants to the basics of OER and the many ways open educational materials can improve student success by reducing costs and increasing access. Discussions encouraged attendees to think critically about how openness can support their own teaching practices while fostering more equitable learning environments (Hare, 2021).
From there, the focus shifted to practical skills. A session on formatting, led by Leslie Bolton from Indiana University Press, who helped us demystify the technical aspects of preparing educational materials for publication. She was able to create a workshop that provided foundational knowledge, while also adjusting for participants’ needs and questions. Instead of viewing formatting as a hurdle, participants explored how thoughtful and accessible design can make resources more engaging and easier for students to navigate.
Day 2:
This day we expanded the conversation with the help of Eric Brinkman from CITL by emphasizing accessibility through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Participants considered how OER can be intentionally designed to meet the needs of diverse learners from the beginning, creating flexible materials that accommodate different learning styles and abilities (CAST, 2024). After this presentation, the workshop participants had working time to develop the ideas they just learned. These dedicated blocks of time allowed participants to put new ideas into practice while collaborating with peers and receiving support from OER specialists in the room. Questions could be answered in real time, challenges could be discussed openly, and participants left with tangible progress rather than a list of future tasks to complete later this summer.
Interactive workshops like the Summer Sprint highlight the importance of OER creation: open education is inherently collaborative. While the final product may be a textbook, in-class activity, or course module, the process itself thrives on shared knowledge, interdisciplinary expertise, and a willingness to learn from one another. As the open education movement continues to grow, programs like the Summer Sprint demonstrate that the most effective way to encourage OER creation is not simply to provide resources or passive programming, but to create spaces where educators can build, collaborate, and innovate together.
Applications for Summer Sprint for Zero Textbook Cost open each spring semester. Be on the lookout for the next call for applications and discover how the program can support your OER journey. Questions? Reach out to iusw@iu.edu to learn more about OER and available resources.
References:
- CAST (2024). CAST Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 3.0. Retrieved from https://udlguidelines.cast.org
- Hare, S. (2021). Food for thought: OER. The Connected Professor. Indiana University. https://connectedprof.iu.edu/articles/2021-fall/food-for-thought.html
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