Find Resources.
Create Materials.
Empower Students.
The TRU Open Press empowers students and educators to create educational
resources with professional support and financial opportunities.
Made with ❤️ at Thompson Rivers University
We’ve been busy!
Here’s a look at some of our statistics. Our team inspires each other to bring our best for the students and faculty we serve. Without them, we couldn’t do what we do.
Established in
2023
Hitting the ground running with gusto and determination to make a difference
Projects
30+
Striving to support faculty and students in their professional development
Dollars Saved
10,000+
Saving our students money on resources and high publishing costs is our priority
Team Members
7
Small but mighty. We, along with our co-op students, inspire each other to bring our best and work in unity with other departments and experts in Open Education.
Open Educational Practices
We support 3 types of open practices for faculty, students, and community members.
Create
We are really good at helping instructors create resources. It’s our mission and we care about it lots.
The “Create” practice involves the production of new educational resources that can be openly shared and reused by others. This includes the creation of multimedia content such as videos, podcasts, and interactive websites. By fostering creativity and innovation, this practice aims to expand the availability of high-quality educational materials that are freely accessible.
Teach
If your students are writing research essays, why not invite them to write short book chapters?
The “Teach” practice focuses on empowering instructors and learners to share knowledge openly and collaboratively. By utilizing open educational resources (OER), educators can create and adapt teaching materials that are freely accessible to anyone. This approach encourages a more inclusive and flexible learning environment, where educational content can be tailored to meet diverse needs and promote lifelong learning.
Research
Supporting faculty, student, and staff research initiatives through publishing.
The “Research” practice is dedicated to exploring and advancing the field of open education through scholarly inquiry and investigation. This involves studying the impact, efficacy, and best practices of open educational resources and open pedagogy. By conducting and disseminating research, we aim to contribute to the global understanding of how open education can improve teaching and learning outcomes.
Our Process
1. Idea
Every great project starts with a spark of inspiration! Got a cool concept or a bright idea for an Open Educational Resource (OER)? Want to engage your students and elevate their learning with Open Education Pedagogy? Awesome! Whether it’s just a glimmer or a fully-formed plan, we’re excited to hear about it. Share your thoughts with us early on, and let’s brainstorm together to bring your vision to life.
2. Proposal
Ready to take your idea to the next level? It’s proposal time! Jot down your project outline, goals, and how you think this project will positively impact students and faculty. Have a look at the TRU Open Press Priorities and the project criteria matrix to help you with this part.
Send in your proposal on the Proposals page, using our online proposal form or downloadable PDF or Word doc, and we’ll dive into it, eager to see how it fits with our mission of spreading knowledge far and wide. Project proposals are accepted anytime for the fiscal year until May 1st, and then we’ll adjudicate the proposals in the summer. We’ll notify successful grant applicants and begin supporting projects in September.
Note: We might be able to support additional projects, depending on our available resources and budget, once the September batch of projects is underway.
3. Plan
With your proposal in the bag, let’s map out the journey ahead. We’ll sit down together and craft a detailed plan, complete with timelines, milestones, and who’s doing what. Think of it as our blueprint or treasure map to a successful project. We’ll also figure out what tools and resources we’ll need to make your OER shine or help you elevate your teaching with Open Education practices.
4. Collaborate
Here’s where the magic happens! Collaboration is our secret sauce. You’ll be teaming up with our fantastic crew of learning designers, content creators, copy editor and tech wizards. Through regular check-ins and fun brainstorming sessions, we’ll tackle any challenges and keep the project cruising along smoothly. Together, we’ll create something truly special.
5. Launch
For OER projects: The big day is here – it’s time to launch your OER! We’ll help you get everything polished and ready for the spotlight. Your resource will debut on TRU’s open platforms, reaching eager learners everywhere. Post-launch, we’re still by your side, helping you promote your work and gather feedback. Let’s celebrate your success and watch your OER make a real impact!
Join us on this exciting journey, and let’s make learning fun and accessible for everyone!
Our projects around TRU
Hover your mouse over the map and click on the icon “i” for more information on our projects.
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) campuses are situated on the traditional lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops) and the T’exelc (Williams Lake) within Secwepemcúl’ecw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. The rich tapestry of this land also encompasses the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Tŝilhqot’in, Nuxalk, and Dakelh. Recognizing the deep histories and ongoing presence of these Indigenous peoples, we express gratitude for the wisdom held by this land. TRU is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment, valuing education as a shared journey. The TRU Open Press, inspired by collaborative learning on this land, upholds open access principles, and freely accessible education for all.