Preparation before the connexions authoring workshop

Preface

The modules in this collection are designed for either self-study or as a major part of a 4 hour in-person workshop. They are designed specifically to guide new authors in the process of creating several modules and then organizing them into a collection. Existing materials within the Connexions web site often explain authoring in a more technical manner than what most new authors desire. Thus, a less technical and more user friendly step by step instructions/training is needed to guide a new author using Connexions. Many new authors will have limited technical computer training; however they should be able to create fantastic OER materials using the convenience of uploading a Microsoft Word document to create a basic Connexions module.

Learning objectives

This workshop will specifically accomplish the task of helping you become a Connexions author by using Microsoft Word documents as the fundamental building and editing method for creating Connexions modules. During the workshop you will:

1. Open a Connexions account
2. Build an author profile
3. Prepare a Microsoft Word document for conversion into a Connexions module
4. Create a Connexions module
5. Understand how modules will affect the creation of a Connexions collection

Prerequisite knowledge – general reading

A prerequisite link (box in the upper right corner if viewing this on the Internet) is provided to “Introduction to Open Educational Resources” collection number “col10413” within the Connexions website. The material written by Judy Baker is an excellent review of many issues of concern to new authors. If you are completely unfamiliar to the Open Educational Resources (OER) or OpenCourseWare (OCW) movement within the educational community; you should spend an adequate amount of time (usually several hours) learning this material. If moderately familiar, you should spend about 1 hour quickly covering the material. You can return and review the material in more detail as needed.

The third module should be specifically viewed. It’s title: OER Fair Use, Copyright, and TEACH Act.

A basic understanding of copyright, fair use, the TEACH Act, and intellectual property is necessary before using and developing OER in order to minimize the risk of violating the law.

This prerequisite material may be covered in a training course available to you at your institution. If so, you should consider taking that course before embarking on the path to becoming an OER author.

Knowledge chunks

The concept of a “knowledge chunk” is to divide learning materials into small units that cover or focus on a single topic. The following two items help explain this concept.