Hi everyone!
As we head into our holiday breaks, I’m excited to share with you the following two new OERs that we have just published:
Research Methods in Criminology: Integrating Western and Indigenous Approaches in the Canadian Context
Edited by Dr. Shereen Hassan; Dr. Rochelle Stevenson; Dr. Carroll Boydell; and Dr. Wendelin Hume (Indigenous Consultant)
This Open Education Resource on Research Methods in Criminology seeks to integrate traditional, Western methods of research with Indigenous ways of knowing by engaging in a practice called Two-Eyed Seeing. While the task of decolonizing all research methods for criminology is beyond the scope here, this text will aid the reader in assessing the various methods with a critical lens. Woven throughout the entire text are case studies, examples, audiovisual clips, discussion questions and interactive H5P activities that encourage the reader to critically engage with the material and to consider how research ought to consider the positionality of the research participants. Moreover, it will highlight the importance of considering the ethics of applying the chosen technique in the field, particularly when working with Indigenous and other minority participants. In the end, it is hoped that this text will provide unbiased quality learning opportunities that lead to valid results produced by future cohorts of informed researchers.
Visit Research Methods in Criminology<https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/researchmethodscrim/>
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Untold Stories: Conversations on Inclusion, Belonging and Accessibility in Classrooms and Workplaces
By Lindsay Wood
Untold Stories is an Open Educational Resource that amplifies the voices of marginalized students and educators, exploring themes of inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and allyship in classrooms and workplaces. Through personal narratives, case studies, and reflective activities, this resource invites readers to listen deeply, engage in honest dialogue, and take meaningful action toward equity. It is both a call to change systems and a celebration of student agency, offering hope and insight for anyone committed to creating inclusive learning and working environments
Visit Untold Stories<https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/untoldstories/>
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Learn about KPU’s Open Publishing Suite (OPUS)<https://www.kpu.ca/library/OPUS>
* Browse our complete catalogue<https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/catalog/openkpu>
* Learn more about KPU Open Education<http://www.kpu.ca/open>
Through active intentional partnering, the Teaching & Learning Commons
provides pedagogical leadership that is grounded in community, ethics, creativity, and care.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University ► Where thought meets action
We at Kwantlen Polytechnic University respectfully acknowledge that we work, live, and study in a region that overlaps with the unceded, traditional and ancestral lands of the xwməθkwəyə̓ m (Musqueam), qi̓ cə̓ y̓ (Katzie), SEMYOME (Semiahmoo), scə̓ waθən (Tsawwassen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), Kwikwetlem, and the lands of the qw̓ ɑ:nƛ̓ ə̓ n̓ (Kwantlen) First Nation, which gifted its name to this university.
In the cause of reconciliation, we recognize our commitment to address and reduce the ongoing systemic colonialism, oppression and racism that Indigenous Peoples continue to experience.
Dear KPU Community,
As we approach the end of 2024, I would like to take a moment to pause and reflect on what we've accomplished together in Open Education this year. It's been a challenging year for everyone, and we know that next year will bring its own set of demands. That makes this moment of recognition all the more important.
What We've Achieved Together
This year, the Open Education initiative at KPU continued to grow and evolve, thanks to the dedication of faculty, staff, and students who believe in accessible, adaptable, and equitable education. Here's what KPU Open has accomplished:
OER Development & Support
* Published 8 Open Educational Resources (with 2 more coming by year's end)
* Supported 9 OER Grants and 2 ZTC Advancement Grants
* Created our new ZTC Advancement Grant to leverage insights from our ZTC Credential Map analysis
* Developed the Open Ed Workbook (launching in January 2025!)
Community & Scholarship
* Delivered 6 external presentations as guest speakers and panel participants
* Wrote 1 book chapter (publication pending)
* Joined the CARL Open Education Community of Practice<https://www.carl-abrc.ca/advancing-teaching-learning/open-education/open-ed…> (Karen, Library)
* Started our own Open Education Community of Practice<https://www.kpu.ca/teaching-and-learning/learning-opportunities/cop/open-ed…> at KPU
* Completed our term on the Open Education Network (OEN)<https://open.umn.edu/oen/community-leaders> Steering Committee and joined the OEN Publishing Advisory Committee (Amanda, T&L Commons)
* Joined the COPPUL Scholarly Communications Working Group<https://coppul.ca/scwg/homepage/> (Karen, Library)
Innovation & Improvements
* Launched the Low Textbook Cost (LTC) Designation
* Wrote a Territorial Acknowledgement for KPU as an OER publisher, and developed a Territorial Acknowledgement Pressbooks Template<https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/booktemplate/front-matter/territorial-acknowledg…>
* Created an AI Declaration Framework for OER Creation [DOCX]<https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/263/2025/11/AI-Declaration-Fra…>; an AI Use Self-Assessment Rubric [DOCX]<https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/263/2025/11/AI-Use-Rubric-for-…>, and an AI Declaration Statement Pressbooks Template<https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/booktemplate/front-matter/ai-declaration-stateme…>
* Established presence at New Student Orientation and Welcome Week, connecting directly with students about ZTC/LTC
Student Impact & ZTC Results
We’re waiting for Fall ZTC data to come in, but here is what we’ve done in Spring and Summer this year:
* 287 Instructors teaching ZTC; 73 for the first time!
* 628 ZTC course sections in 392 courses (an average of 27.5% of sections were ZTC)
* $1.7M in ZTC student savings ($3M in Academic Year 2024/2025)
I look forward to seeing the stats from Fall 2025! See more stats on our Zero Textbook Cost Data Dashboard<https://www.kpu.ca/open/ztc#dashboard>
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Looking Forward
The work we've done this year strengthens the foundation for what comes next. While we know the road ahead will have its challenges, we face them with the knowledge that what we're building (accessible, effective, equitable education) matters deeply.
Thank you to every faculty member who adopted OER, every staff member who supported these initiatives, and every student who advocated for affordable education. This work is a collective effort, and it's one we're proud to be part of alongside you.
Wishing you all a restful break,
Amanda
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Amanda Grey (she/her)
Open Education Strategist, Teaching & Learning Commons
t 604-599-3345
e amanda.grey(a)kpu.ca<mailto:amanda.grey@kpu.ca>
w www.kpu.ca/open
Through active intentional partnering, the Teaching & Learning Commons
provides pedagogical leadership that is grounded in community, ethics, creativity, and care.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University ► Where thought meets action
I respectfully acknowledge that I work in a region that overlaps with the unceded, traditional and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam<https://www.musqueam.bc.ca/>), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie<https://katzie.ca/>), scəw̓aθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen<https://tsawwassenfirstnation.com/>), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem<https://www.kwikwetlem.com/>), SEMYOME (Semiahmoo<https://www.semiahmoofirstnation.ca/>),qiqéyt (Qayqayt), and the qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen<https://www.kwantlenfn.ca/>), which gifted its name to this university.
In the cause of reconciliation, I recognize and commit to address and reduce ongoing systemic colonialism, oppression and racism that Indigenous Peoples continue to experience.
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