The Equity Through OER Rubric
8 Scale of Adoption
The scale of adoption proposes multiple stages of OER engagement, from not present, to beginning, to emerging, to established.
The rubric is not intended to shame people or induce guilt, even if users find that they fall into stages of adoption where there is no or only beginning activity and attention. Evaluating where action and attention are absent is a necessary first step to being intentional, equity-minded, taking action, and making progress.
Given that OER engagement is still nascent at many U.S. institutions of higher education, where resource constraints are all too real, the established stage will remain aspirational for many for some time.
The holistic planning embedded in these stages, with emphasis on continuous improvement, sustainability and scaling, is intended as a blueprint for reaching equity, the corrective process that demands fairness for marginalized and minoritized populations by reducing opportunity and achievement gaps through systematic efforts.
The multiple stages of OER engagement are:
Beginning
Activity and/or attention are beginning to be paid in isolation or ad hoc within units and/or institution
Emerging
More coordinated & intentional attention is being paid, and activity is underway in key dimensions of the OER category. A plan is being discussed and/or under development.
