A “Zed Cred” refers to a degree pathway that involves zero textbook costs, based on the adoption of open educational resources (e.g., open textbooks) or use of institutionally subscribed resources (e.g., library databases). Pioneered at Tidewater Community College, research has shown significant gains in student enrolment, persistence, and performance from this programmatic approach to OER adoption (Hilton et al., 2016)..

In 2017 BCcampus awarded Zed Cred grants to three BC institutions--Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL), and the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC). Whereas the JIBC is developing a two-year cohort-based Law Enforcement Studies diploma, KPU and TRU are both developing flexible one-year credentials that provide a foundation for further study (the Certificate of Arts and Certificate of General Studies, respectively).

Aside from being the first Zed Cred initiatives in the country, they are distinguished by the collaborative approach of the cross-functional teams behind them. Aside from reusing, revising, and remixing existing OER, these teams are actively looking for opportunities to co-develop and peer-review resources as well as share strategies used to build institutional capacity (e.g., faculty and staff training), overcome challenges (e.g., integrating a Zed Cred notation in course timetables), conduct research (e.g., to evaluate the institutional impact of OER adoption), and develop a strategic framework.

In this interactive panel, members of KPU, TRU, and JIBC’s cross functional Zed Cred teams will share their motivations for embarking on these initiatives, highlight unique aspects of each of their Zed Creds, discuss challenges and the strategies deployed to overcome them, forecast their next steps, and invite attendees to collaborate with them where feasible.