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1. What is the Open and Affordable Textbooks (OAT) Initiative?
The NJIT Open and Affordable Textbook (OAT) Initiative encourages NJIT faculty to redesign their courses using open textbooks, free or low-cost materials, library resources, or open educational resources (OER) in place of commercial texts to increase course material affordability for NJIT students.
2. How is the OAT Initiative supported?
The OAT Initiative is managed by the University Libraries and the Office of Digital Learning with support from the Institute for Teaching Excellence and the Office of the Provost.
3. Does the OAT Initiative provide any monetary incentives for those interested in adopting OER in the classroom?
Two types of OAT awards are currently offered for instructors: Individual Instructor ($1000) and Course Coordinator ($3000). Matching awards (an additional $1000 for individual instructors and $3000 for course coordinators) are available if you intend to incorporate AI into your revised course.
4. What are some important dates to consider when applying for an OAT award?
5. Who is eligible to apply for the OAT Initiative awards?
6. Can I apply for more than one award per application cycle?
Yes, you may apply for multiple awards if you are teaching multiple courses.
7. Is this a cash award?
Funds will be distributed as additional compensation or in the form of budget transfer to the academic department.
8. If I have already won an OAT award in the past, can I apply in another year?
Yes!
9. I am not a full-time NJIT faculty member. Can I still apply?
Yes. Prior to applying for an OAT award, please verify with your course coordinator and/or department chair that the required textbook can be substituted for a high-quality open textbook, OER, or available library resource(s).
10. What kind of support can I, as an OAT award recipient, receive?
An OAT award recipient is assigned a liaison librarian to help you find appropriate resources, as well as integrate them into your course to best meet learning objectives. Instructional designers may be available if you need assistance adapting course materials.
11. What can I use the award funds for?
The funding may be utilized as you see fit as long as it is in accordance with NJIT policies and procedures. Some examples past recipients at NJIT have used the awards for include: hiring students to help with course redesign (for example, creating and editing new quizzes, videos), attending outside events on best practices in teaching using open educational resources, and even donating the award funds to purchase new books for the library.
12. What are the main reporting requirements?
All awardees will need to submit a narrative in the form of a final report detailing challenges and accomplishments using OER, including impact to teaching, student performance and lessons learned.
13. How will students know my course is an OAT course?
We recommend that you update your course syllabus and specify that the required OER/textbook is an open resource. Also, provide URL links to the open resource for accessibility.
14. I want to apply for the Faculty Authored Open Textbooks grant, but I don't see that anymore. What happened?
The Faculty Authored Open Textbook (FAOT) program was discontinued in this cycle.
John Kromer
Associate University Librarian for Research & Engagement
john.kromer@njit.edu
973-642-4397
Michelle Kudelka
Student Success Librarian
michelle.kudelka@njit.edu
973-596-8499
Support will be provided by the NJIT University Library and the Center for Educational Innovation and Excellence. The Subject Specialist Librarians will be available to help identify and vet quality OER materials, and you may ask for additional help from Instructional Designers if you need help adapting your course.
The NJIT OAT logo is provided for use in documents pertaining to the OAT project. Please do not alter the OAT logo by making any changes to its color, arrangement of texts and graphics or any alteration of the image except for allowable sizing.
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