1) Who are you?
Hello, I’m Sarah! I am a librarian, artist, and mother, situated in the Pioneer Valley (Western Massachusetts, United States). I serve as the head of Undergraduate Student Success and Engagement at the UMass Amherst Libraries and am also a Ph.D. candidate (recent GO-GNer) in the College of Education at UMass. My research, my passion – is looking at what motivates us. What makes humans care? What drives us? For policy makers and executive administrators in higher ed, I can give the dry, theoretical underpinnings of my research (I am a phenomenologist, looking specifically at SDT/motivational learning theory, and where/how it intersects with the collaborative creation of OER, etc.). For the rest of us humans, I can state: giving students voice and choice in the educational process – and therefore society.. democracy.. lights the fire. I have been working with makers, researchers, and dreamers in institutions of higher ed for over 20 years.
2) What is your vibe? Share it in a meme or quote…
“We are here and it is now. Further than that, all human knowledge is moonshine.” – H.L. Mencken
3) What gives you hope these days?
The rise of humanity on this occasion of our darkest days as a global community. I am cheered by hands outstretched, helping to lift each other up.. even when those hands cannot safely touch one another, they remain, and we hold on.
4) Who are you learning from lately?
All creators. I am discovering artistry applied in the most delightful and unexpected places – lately, in the systems that are engineered to architect our worlds of knowledge and orchestrate global connectivity.
5) In your opinion, what should we all be caring about? Why?
Checking in, with each other, and ourselves. Understanding that we are at a pivotal moment in human history, and that the choices we all make now will have lasting impact on the shape of things to come.
6) What do you hope to take away from OER20?
I am hoping that connections made during the conference will help to foster creative new approaches to solving problems we all share – better together!
Shared by: @schutton
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