Studio Mission, Vision, and Values
Video: Fanshawe OER Design Studio – Mission, Vision and Values [1:03]. Captions and Transcript available on Youtube. CC BY 4.0.
On this page:
Our Philosophy | Our Mission | Our Vision | Our Values | Our Approach | Our Aspirational Goals | Our Design Process | Generative AI | Promotional Downloads
The OER Design Studio: Our Philosophy
We believe knowledge should be freely accessible, shared, and co-created to transcend barriers. The Fanshawe OER Design Studio is committed to supporting the Fanshawe community and its partners by providing high-quality, accessible, and openly available learning materials.
We envision open education as a catalyst for innovation, where the free exchange of ideas and resources sparks new ways of thinking and solving problems. This approach to education supports lifelong learning, adapts to the needs of diverse learners, and prepares individuals to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
We work to:
- Promote the use of open resources to educators,
- Create high-quality, learner-focused materials,
- Reduce barriers through equitable access,
- Foster a sense of community and collaboration, and
- Provide experiential learning opportunities for students.
Our Approach
We pursue excellence and access informed by the resources and supports available to us at a given moment. We embrace the idea of “not yetness” as our touchstone: open educational practice is never closed, unchanged, and complete. We believe the spirit of open education requires us to be flexible, adaptive, and proactive in our approach to continuous improvement and growth.
Our Aspirational Goals
We envision a future where OERs are pivotal in shaping the teaching and learning landscape. As a studio, we will strive to:
- Enhance Our Institutional Impact and Influence: We aim to increase institutional awareness of open education practices and how we can support the adoption and creation of innovative educational resources, curricula, and methodologies.
- Expand Our Footprint: The Studio aspires to grow its presence within the college ecosystem. We aim to create a vibrant hub for educational experimentation, research, and development by collaborating with various departments, faculties, and student bodies.
- Increase Our Community-Centric Impact: We envision a future where we extend our reach beyond campus boundaries. We aspire to actively engage with external Fanshawe partners, local businesses, and the wider London community.
- Empower Student Creators: We aspire to inspire students to publish their own work, share their insights, and contribute to the broader educational landscape. By fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and openness, we envision students as consumers and active creators, shaping the future of learning resources.
- Pursue Sustainable Funding: Recognizing that financial stability is crucial for long-term success, the studio sets its sights on securing ongoing funding opportunities. It actively seeks grants, partnerships, and endowments to support its initiatives, ensuring continuity and future growth.
- Emerge as Provincial Leaders: The studio dreams of becoming a beacon of educational innovation within the province. By fostering strong ties with other institutions, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, it aims to lead conversations, drive policy changes, and shape the future of education.
Our Design Process
The following tenets inspire the OER Design Studio’s resource creation:
- Agile Project Methodology: We embrace an agile approach to resource creation. Projects are broken down into manageable chunks; for instance, we work on a chapter-by-chapter or module-by-module basis when creating a textbook. This allows us to focus on specific content areas and ensures that each section is thoroughly developed. By doing so, we can iterate and refine as needed.
- Creator-Centric Focus: The studio’s design process is tailored to meet the needs of creators. We recognize that everyone has varying levels of expertise and available time. Whether you’re an experienced author or a novice, our approach accommodates your abilities and constraints.
- Learner Impact: Our primary goal is to create resources that impact learners most. We create zero-cost resources that prioritize pedagogical effectiveness, engagement, and accessibility. Content should be inclusive, equitable, and resonate with diverse learners to enhance their understanding.
- Timeliness and Efficiency: We recognize the importance of delivering resources promptly. Our priority is to meet the curricular needs of Fanshawe College. We streamline processes, leverage existing materials, and collaborate efficiently to achieve quick turnarounds.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Our approaches and the educational landscape are evolving. We remain flexible and nimble. We adapt swiftly, whether a sudden curriculum change or emerging technologies.
Generative AI in Open Educational Resources
We recognize emerging AI technologies have immense potential for creating sustainable and accessible resources. As such, we approach the use of AI with the following considerations always in mind:
- Purposeful and Careful Use: We commit to using generative AI thoughtfully and purposefully. Our intention is not to replace human creativity but to augment it. We employ AI to expedite routine tasks, streamline processes, and enhance efficiency within our studio.
- Respecting Copyright and Authorship: We remain vigilant about copyright and intellectual property rights in the use of AI-generated content. Generative AI has the potential to reproduce substantial parts of works protected by another’s copyright. Recognizing this, we take all reasonable steps to prevent the publication of AI content that infringes copyright. This reflects our general commitment to the balance of copyright owners and users in Canada. Likewise, the use of AI as a tool to remix and create derivative works does not affect our commitment to an author’s moral rights, such as the attribution and integrity of their work.
- Navigating Legal and Ethical Implications: As the AI landscape evolves, so do legal and ethical debates. We stay informed about developments, engage in ongoing discussions, and adapt our practices accordingly. Our commitment extends beyond compliance to proactive engagement with the broader discourse.
Promotional Downloads
The following downloads are branded versions of the content found on this page:
- OER Design Studio – Mission, Vision, Values Handout (PDF – 3MB)
- OER Design Studio – Our Design Process Handout (PDF – 4 MB)
- OER Design Studio – Service Offerings Handout (PDF – 4 MB)
- OER Studio – MMV and Design Process Accessible Handout (PDF – 269 KB)
