Course marking can be a powerful tool for helping students identify courses that use open or low-cost materials before they register. At the same time, implementing and sustaining course marking can raise practical questions about definitions, data, faculty participation, technology, communications, and consistency across institutions or systems.

Join the Open Education Association for an affinity conversation focused on course marking for open and affordable education. This session will bring together practitioners to share approaches, compare experiences, and explore what is working across different institutional contexts.

During the conversation, participants will:

• Share approaches to identifying and marking courses that use OER, zero-cost, or low-cost materials.

• Discuss definitions, thresholds, policies, and other decisions that shape course marking programs.

• Explore challenges related to data collection, faculty reporting, student information systems, and maintaining accurate information.

• Exchange strategies for increasing faculty participation and helping students understand and use course marking information.

Whether your institution is developing a course marking approach, refining an existing process, or considering what comes next, this conversation will provide an opportunity to learn from peers and share practical lessons.

Facilitators: 

• Gabby Hernandez, Community Manager, SPARC

• Andrea Scott, Director of Open Educational Resources, Salt Lake Community College

Date: Tuesday, October 20th, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM CT / 11:00 AM MT / 10:00 AM PT

Audience: All are welcome

Open education conferences and convenings can play an important role in building community, sharing practice, and creating momentum for open education. But planning an event that is engaging, sustainable, and responsive to your community requires more than choosing a date and developing a program.

Join the Open Education Association for an affinity conversation focused on planning open education conferences and events. Whether you are organizing a statewide convening, institutional event, regional conference, or virtual gathering, this session will offer an opportunity to learn from others doing similar work, exchange ideas, and talk through common challenges.

During the conversation, participants will:

• Share approaches to designing conferences and convenings that meet community needs.

• Discuss considerations such as format, programming, speakers, accessibility, logistics, and budget.

• Explore strategies for encouraging participation and creating meaningful opportunities for connection.

• Exchange lessons learned, useful resources, and ideas that can make event planning easier and more sustainable.

Come prepared to share what has worked for you, ask questions, or simply learn from others planning open education events.

Facilitators: 

• Amanda Larson MA, MLIS, AERI Program Coordinator, The Ohio State University

• Chelsee Dickson, Ed.D, Assistant Director of Academic Engagement & Instruction, Scholarly Publishing and Research, and Librarian Associate Professor of Library Science, Kennesaw State University