Vocational Students Experience in the Co-Creation of OER

Presenter: Chad Flinn

This talk will discuss a research study that explored the perception of trades students in the co-creation of OER. This study used a mixed-methods case study approach to examine the impact of the co-creation of OER on first-year electrical trades students. As open education continues to grow and expand, vocational education and its students could find value in adopting the tools that OER use affords, and trades could offer their distinct voice to the conversation. In this study, students participated in creating open textbooks on various topics. Data collection was based on a questionnaire with 18 participants and interviews conducted with nine participants. The qualitative analysis revealed five themes in the student’s perception in the creation of OER: accessibility, the value of co-creation, digital literacy skills, the value of peer and self-assessment, and student agency. Overall, participants found the process enjoyable and that it had a positive impact on their vocational education.

Learning Outcomes:
This session will focus on practical exercises that can include students in the co-creation of OER. The use of open pedagogy will be discussed in a practical sense and examples will be given where open pedagogical practices have made an impact on vocational students.