Asking for help

A big challenge in editing an OER is knowing who to ask for help.  This project is just so big that I need to ask experts along the way.

My area of expertise is teaching Spanish and guiding students as they learn.  I've learned a tremendous amount about technology, online teaching and the myriad of other challenges that have popped up unexpectedly as I've been working on this project.

*Kathy, our library director.  The library website has a fantastic guide to help faculty as we use OER materials in our classes.  She's also been an encourager for me--cheering me on, giving advice, helping me figure out how to answer the questions for the bookstore and giving insight into how to build an online class.

*Dana & Dr Ibe, my chair and Dean.  They encouraged me to pursue this and advised me as I began.

*Chelsea, our graphic designer.  She designed the cover of the textbook and the 5 cover pages for each chapter.  I have very little knowledge in this area and was fearful of copyright issues.  I told her what I wanted:  graphics that would appeal to college students and not feel high schoolish.  Her graphics are amazing and I love the finished product.

*Cheryl, our LSM administrator.  She knows a lot about OER and has answered every question from how to attribute sources, general tech info, UDL etc.  She's also been very encouraging.

*Julie, our tech trainer.  There was a point when I had all these big ideas and just wasn't sure about how to actually make them digital.  She listened and advised.  This conversation saved me a lot of extra work as I began making this 388-page text into a digital format that will be 100% online for students.

*Anel, our Spanish adjunct professor.  She has given great advice and has brought up excellent points for consideration.  I tend to be very "big picture" and it's been really helpful to have someone with a fresh perspective on how we can scale this class online.

*Aaron, my husband.  He has listened, encouraged and even volunteered to speak Spanish for listening activities in the class.  He reminds me to take breaks and not be so hard on myself.  I know this is the "beta phase" as I'm building but it's hard to not be frustrated when road blocks appear.

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