New guide for authors of learning resources
Subject: Multidisciplinary
The new kit for authors is available on the Library website and can be accessed from the site for teaching staff (Stage 2: Submit requests / Self-training).
Over the course of the last ten years, the University has worked with over 5,000 experts to produce its learning resources.
Every year, at the start of the academic semester, some 4,000 resources prepared or updated by University staff are added to the classrooms. The goal of the new kit for UOC authors is to bring together in one place all the information and tools needed to support the commissioning and production of these resources.
It is mainly intended for the authors of new educational materials, but also for the people responsible for updating them. The kit offers guidance with respect to adhering to the various formats (text, audiovisual, multimedia, etc.) of the resources currently in use in the classrooms.
"In contrast to other universities, the UOC provides its students with all the resources they need to overcome the challenges set for them in each course of each academic programme," said Ciro Llueca, director of the Library and Learning Resources department. "Approximately half of these resources are produced by the UOC, and the knowledge contributed by the more than 5,000 people who have created these resources over our 25-year history is incalculable," added Llueca.
One of the elements included in the kit is an interactive infographic that provides a step-by-step guide to the creation of new resources.
The kit also features an FAQ section, providing authors with answers to common doubts, such as ANECA certification or how to submit invoices. There is also a tutorial video with instructions on how to sign an authorship contract.
What's more, the kit provides a brief presentation on aspects to take into account in terms of structure, form and style to guarantee that the resources used in the classrooms are of optimal quality. For example, authors can see the requirements to be met for each type of resource (infographic, video recording, podcast, text module, etc.), as well as recommendations to ensure that the content is inclusive, respectful, non-discriminatory and non-sexist.
Specifically, as the Teaching section of the UOC's Equality Plan stipulates, the kit shares strategies to guarantee the gender perspective in the content authorship process.
Furthermore, the new guide presents additional information that is useful for the preparation of new materials, such as the Library page on how to correctly cite sources and the library guide on where to find royalty-free images.
This initial version of the kit will be periodically updated with new information and tailor-made resources in line with the ongoing needs of the authors.
The kit has been prepared for the Library and Learning Resources department by Mireia Castillón, Cecília Lacueva and Albert Cervera.
The next phase will include a section that highlights the expertise of the people who have worked with the teaching staff on the academic programmes to produce the University's in-house resources.