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Advocacy & Campus Leadership: Communications: Home

Overview

Communications
As the primary vehicle for conveying meaning, it is difficult to overstate the importance of being prepared and practiced with your COMMUNICATIONS. OER and affordability advocates should be equipped with concise, impactful messages that resonate with different audiences, whether it's a quick elevator pitch to the university president or a detailed presentation to faculty. Understanding the "language" of faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders allows you to frame your arguments in ways that align with their priorities and concerns, increasing your persuasive power. Beyond the message itself, bring your charisma and enthusiasm and use data-driven evidence and success stories to make your communication more vivid and memorable. Beyond speaking, continually tailor your message into conversation by engaging in active listening, making direct connections with your audience's responses, and being transparent about what you anticipate they will find challenging. More can be found on communications at the MNOP Marketing & Promotion page, where things like branding, public relations, campaigns, and channels are covered.

Communications Topics

Being prepared means having more than your elevator pitch ready. Developing relevant communications from the list below will build an engine for outreach and support.

Message Types

  • Elevator Pitch: A concise, compelling summary of the benefits of OER and affordability initiatives, tailored to different audiences (faculty, administrators, students).
  • Email Templates
    • Introduction to OER: A general introduction to OER, highlighting benefits and opportunities for adoption.
    • Follow-Up After Meeting or Workshop: A thank-you email with additional resources and next steps.
    • Invitation to Workshop or Event: An invitation email encouraging attendance at an OER-related event or training session.
    • Grant or Funding Opportunity: Information about available grants or funding for OER adoption.
    • Call to Action for Faculty: Encouraging faculty to consider adopting or adapting OER for their courses.
  • Workshop Presentations
    • Introduction to OER and Affordable Content: Overview presentation explaining OER, its benefits, and impact on teaching and learning.
    • Hands-On OER Adoption Training: Step-by-step guidance on finding, evaluating, and adopting OER.
    • Advanced OER Usage and Open Pedagogy: Presentation on integrating OER into teaching practices and using open pedagogy.
  • Talking Points for Meetings: Key points to discuss with stakeholders highlighting the benefits of OER and addressing potential concerns.
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Document: A document addressing common questions and misconceptions.
  • Persuasive Speech or Presentation for Leadership: A presentation tailored for senior administrators, deans, or department heads that aligns OER initiatives with institutional goals and strategic priorities.
  • One-Pagers and Infographics
    • OER Benefits Overview
    • How to Get Started with OER
    • How Open Licensing works: 
  • Case Studies and Testimonials
    • Success Stories: Real-world examples, including testimonials from faculty and students at your institution.
    • Impact Studies: Summaries of research findings on the impact of OER on student outcomes and cost savings.
  • Policy Briefs and Proposals
    • Policy Brief for Institutional Leaders: A document outlining the benefits of OER and proposing policy changes or support. See SPARC's State Policy Playbook for an example.
    • Proposal for Funding or Resources: A formal proposal requesting funding or resources to support OER initiatives.
  • Guides and Toolkits
    • OER Adoption Toolkit for Faculty: A comprehensive guide to help faculty find, evaluate, and implement OER.
    • Library Support Guide: A guide for librarians on how to support faculty and students in using OER.
  • Social Media Content
    • Social Media Posts: Pre-written tweets, Facebook/Instagram posts, and LinkedIn.
    • Graphics for Social Media: Visual content like images, memes, or infographics to share on social media platforms.
  • Blog Posts and Articles
    • Thought Leadership Articles: Articles discussing the importance of OER and affordability initiatives in education.
    • How-To Blog Posts: Practical guides on adopting and using OER, aimed at faculty and academic support staff.
  • Newsletter Content
    • Feature Articles: Updates on OER initiatives, events, and success stories for inclusion in institutional newsletters.
    • Monthly OER Updates: Regular updates on new OER resources, training opportunities, and research findings.
  • Video Scripts
    • Introduction to OER Video: Script for a short introductory video explaining what OER is and its benefits.
    • Testimonial Videos: Scripts for videos featuring testimonials from faculty and students who have benefited from OER.
  • Handouts and Flyers
    • Event Handouts: Informational handouts for workshops, presentations, or meetings.
    • Promotional Flyers: Flyers promoting upcoming OER events, workshops, or initiatives.
  • Surveys and Feedback Forms
    • Post-Event Feedback Forms: Surveys to collect feedback after workshops or presentations to improve future sessions.
    • OER Needs Assessment Surveys: Tools to assess faculty and student interest in and need for OER resources.
  • Resource Lists and Curated Collections
    • OER Resource List: A curated list of OER repositories, tools, and resources for easy reference.
    • Top OER Tools for Faculty: A handout or webpage listing essential tools for OER discovery and adoption.
  • Role-Playing Scenarios
    • OER Advocacy Role-Playing: Practice scenarios for responding to common objections or questions about OER.

Effective communication requires signaling key underlying messages to various stakeholders. "Signaling" in this context refers to conveying specific, clear, and compelling messages that influence perception, build credibility, foster trust, and ultimately drive action.

Underlying Messages and Their Signals

Understanding the audience signals awareness and empathy

  • By identifying key stakeholders (faculty, administrators, librarians, students) and understanding their specific needs and concerns, you signal that you are not only aware of their unique perspectives but also empathetic to their challenges. This builds trust and opens up channels for meaningful dialogue.
  • Segmenting audiences and tailoring communication demonstrates that you respect their time and attention, sending a signal that you value their unique position and want to provide them with relevant, targeted information. This personalized approach can enhance engagement and receptivity to OER initiatives.

Building awareness and understanding signals credibility and authority

  • Educating stakeholders on the fundamentals of OER and providing clear, accessible explanations signals that you are a knowledgeable and authoritative advocate. This helps in establishing trustworthiness and a foundation for deeper engagement.
  • Highlighting evidence and research to support the benefits of OER sends a signal of credibility and reliability. It shows that the advocacy is grounded in data and research, making the case for OER more compelling and difficult to dismiss.

Engaging in dialogue and collaboration signals openness and inclusivity

  • Facilitating conversations and creating opportunities for dialogue signals a commitment to openness and inclusivity. It shows that you are not imposing a one-size-fits-all solution but are instead interested in collective input and collaboration to find the best path forward.
  • Promoting interdepartmental collaboration signals a recognition that OER adoption is a community effort. It shows you value cross-functional cooperation and are willing to work across silos to achieve shared goals, which can build a broader base of support.

Providing support and resources signals commitment and reliability

  • Developing and sharing practical resources signals a commitment to helping stakeholders succeed. It demonstrates that you are providing more than just information—you are offering concrete tools to enable action, which can increase confidence in adopting OER.
  • Offering training and professional development signals a dedication to building capacity and supporting long-term success. It shows that you are investing in stakeholders’ growth and understanding, reinforcing the idea that OER adoption is a sustainable, supported initiative.

Addressing concerns and resistance signals responsiveness and thoughtfulness:

  • Acknowledging and addressing barriers directly signals that you are responsive and considerate of potential challenges. It demonstrates a proactive approach to advocacy, reassuring stakeholders that their concerns are valid and being taken seriously.
  • Providing reassurance and support signals confidence in the initiative and a readiness to help stakeholders overcome obstacles. It shows a thoughtful approach to change management, reducing resistance and fostering a more positive perception of OER.

Cultivating champions and building a network signals influence and grassroots support:

  • Identifying and empowering OER champions signals that you recognize the power of peer advocacy and are cultivating grassroots support to drive broader adoption organically.
  • Building a supportive network signals community and collective action. It demonstrates that OER adoption is not a solitary endeavor but a movement supported by a network of committed individuals, creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Creating institutional alignment signals strategic alignment and relevance:

  • Aligning OER advocacy with institutional goals signals that these initiatives are strategically relevant. It shows that OER adoption is not just about cost savings but also about supporting the institution’s broader objectives, such as enhancing student success and improving retention rates.
  • Engaging leadership and decision-makers signals that the initiative has high-level support and aligns with the strategic vision of the institution. This can lend credibility and weight, making it easier to gain broader institutional buy-in.

Monitoring and feedback signal continuous improvement and accountability

  • Gathering feedback continuously signals a commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness. It shows stakeholders that their input is valued and will be used to refine and enhance the initiative, fostering a culture of engagement and shared ownership.
  • Evaluating and sharing impact signals transparency and accountability. It shows that you are not only advocating for OER adoption but are also committed to measuring its effectiveness and demonstrating its value, which can build confidence and support among stakeholders.

Ensuring sustainability and continuity signals long-term vision and stability

  • Developing a long-term strategy signals a commitment to sustainability. It demonstrates that OER adoption is not a short-term project but a strategic initiative with a vision for long-term impact and growth.
  • Encouraging continuous improvement signals a dynamic and adaptive approach to OER advocacy.