Frequently Asked Questions

The ALT-2040 Fund is a strategic initiative managed through the Academic Operations and Services portfolio of the Provost’s Office in partnership with UBC Okanagan’s centrally positioned units that provide support for teaching and learning. Questions related to the ALT-2040 Fund may be directed to Kirsten Bennett, Senior Manager, Strategic Projects and/or altfund.ok@ubc.ca.

A: Open educational resources are “teaching, learning, and research resources that permit free use and repurposing because they are under an open-copyright licence or because they reside in the public domain and are not copyrighted” (BCcampus Self Publishing Guide). Examples of OER include open textbooks, lesson plans, quizzes and test banks, videos, animations,  simulations, class handouts, interactive activities, tools (apps, for instance), PowerPoint presentations and more.

OER developed with the ALT-2040 Fund must be shared with an open copyright license (e.g., Creative Commons) to allow for re-use, remix, revision and redistribution of the content for educational purposes (see the guidelines page for more information on sharing and re-use).

Open educational practices, or open pedagogy, is “the use of open educational resources (OER) to support learning, or the open sharing of teaching practices with a goal of improving education and training at the institutional, professional, and individual level” (BCcampus, What is Open Pedagogy?).

UBC Okanagan’s Constellation connects and integrates existing media and technology learning spaces and facilities to provide new pathways for interaction, exploration, learning, and discovery. With a shared vision of empowering learning, supporting campus-wide access, and encouraging innovation, Constellation includes the Sawchuk Family Theatre (SFT), the Visualization and Emerging Media Studio (VEMS), makerspaceUBCO, Digital Design Lab and Sound Booth, Studio 123, Library Design and Editing Stations and the Commons Service Hub (see UBCO Studio Spaces). As a network, it offers new ways for students to experience learning and new tools for instructors to design and support their students’ learning journeys.  

The Constellation Protostar stream provides a unique opportunity for instructors to collaborate with students, faculty colleagues, and professional staff to explore how media and applied technology can be used to transform learning environments and teaching and learning experiences. The specific outcome focus of the stream is to produce new or adapt existing, educational materials and resources. Awards comprise a combination of direct funding ($15,000 for student project workers) and in-kind professional expertise (pedagogical support from CTL and technology from the Constellation network).

Lead Applicants may not normally hold more than one grant concurrently. Co-applicants and other team members can be involved in more than one active ALT-2040 Fund project at a time.

Key differences between ALT-2040 streams

*Proposals from all streams that have project impacts at the program or multiple-course level may be eligible for additional funding (up to $25,000). Contact altfund.ok@ubc.ca to discuss proposals at this level prior to submission and refer to the ALT-2040 Guidelines for further information.

All funding streams follow a single-stage application processes.

All proposals require:

• A letter of support from the department/unit head/director of the lead applicant;
• A resource commitment letter from any UBC department/unit or administrative unit committing resources; and
• A letter of support from the dean (or designate) of the lead applicant and the dean of any UBC Okanagan Faculty/School that is committing resources

The Constellation Protostar stream also requires:

• An approval letter from the director or designate of proposed Constellation partner that identifies the resource commitments. Contact constellation.ok@ubc.ca to arrange for a support letter.

We recommend that you first discuss your ideas with your colleagues in the department(s)/unit(s) associated with the academic program(s) or course(s) that you will be enhancing with your proposed project. Projects will need the support of your department/unit head(s) and your dean(s).

UBC Okanagan’s central service units that support teaching and learning can provide advice at all stages.

• The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) can advise on topics such as pedagogy, instructional design, assessment, learning technology integration and planning.
• The Office of Planning and Institutional Research (PAIR) can provide feedback and advice on evaluation approaches and methodologies.
• The Library can provide support on learning resources discovery/development (including open resources) and copyright, licensing and digitization.
• Constellation, IT, Media & Classroom Services (including UBC Studios Okanagan), in partnership with the CTL, can provide advice on media development, video-conferencing and learning space enhancement or utilization.
• UBC IT Engagement Services can provide in kind consultation on any IT related requirements as well as provide support with various IT approval and data governance processes.

You can also request assistance from the Provost’s Office by emailing altfund.ok@ubc.ca.

There is no set minimum funding.

• All funding stream projects can be up to 2 years in length and apply for a maximum of $15,000.

   

• Proposals with intended impacts at the program or multi-course level can be up to 2 years in length and apply for a maximum of $25,000 with prior consultation with the ALT-2024 Fund Manager.

This fund is not an equipment fund; however, equipment purchased by an academic program or supplied by other sources may be considered an in-kind expense if the primary use of the equipment is for the project.

If you are planning to develop learning materials in support of flipped classroom or blended learning activities (video material, screen casts, etc.), we recommend that you consult with the CTL and UBC Studios Okanagan.

Equipment for this purpose may be provisioned from a central pool of media resources for use during the project.

Yes, you can request travel funds (exclusive of dissemination activities e.g. conference travel) as long as the work associated with the travel contributes meaningfully to advancing your project goals in efficient and effective ways. Please ensure that you indicate how you will gauge the impact of the travel-related work in the proposal. Dissemination costs may be included as in-kind contributions to the project.

Examples of eligible travel expenses:

• Travel to support collaborative work/ site visits when virtual meetings can not be conducted to meet the same outcome
• Travel to collect field samples
• Travel to shoot video at a relevant external location

A letter of support from a department head/director should include the following:

• The letter should provide a list of the resource commitments identified in the budget, and indicate that they are aware of and committed to providing the resources if application is successful.
• For projects that require a longer-term commitment of resources (e.g., additional TAs needed ongoing), then the letter of support should include a statement that acknowledges the longer-term commitment, and that the Faculty is committed to continue this investment if the project is successful.
• In situations where a department head/director is an applicant, a “one over” rule applies (email/letter from associate dean or dean, as appropriate).
• If the letter of support is for resources provided by a service unit, then the director of the unit (or designate) should indicate that they are aware of and agree to provide the identified resources.
• If the letter of support is for resources provided by a service unit, then the director of the unit (or designate) should indicate that they are aware of and agree to provide the identified resources.
• Any significant institutional upgrades, particularly any that involve permits of any kind, requires a letter of support from Campus Planning.

All proposals must be submitted through the online ALT-2040 Fund’s application system, which will be accessed through the Apply Now link on the top menu of the ALT-2040 Fund website.

No, late applications will not be accepted.