Author(s)/Auteur(s): Charissa Lee (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology), Kristene Coller (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology), Sonja Johnston (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) & Jessica Norman (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)

Rising living expenses and tuition costs are forcing students to choose between essential expenses and buying textbooks (Statistics Canada, 2023-a; Statistics Canada, 2023-b). Pre-COVID data indicates a widespread concern over textbook affordability (Shelly & Scott, 2023), and with inflation rates remaining higher post-COVID, there’s a pressing need to address this concern (Statistics Canada, 2023-c). This has led to the need for institutions and faculty to be open-minded and flexible to change. To address these concerns, post-secondary institutions, including the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) are increasingly adopting Open Educational Resources (OERs). This workshop aims to familiarize participants with OERs, demonstrate how to integrate these resources into their curriculum, and discuss best practices for implementation. Through a mix of presentations, interactive discussions, and hands-on activities, participants will explore the benefits of OERs, discover practical strategies for implementation, and address common challenges.