Name: Dr. Brian Kronenthal
Title: Associate Professor of Mathematics
Institution: Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Notable contributions to affordable learning: Dr. Kronenthal has been using Open Educational Resources in his Calculus and Abstract Algebra classes since fall 2019. He also participated in the UTMOST Project to assist in researching student use of a designated OER and promotes open-source platforms like the WeBWorK open math homework platform to his colleagues.
Why is supporting affordable learning and the use of open resources important to you? Supporting affordable learning is important to me as a way of helping students succeed. By using zero-cost or low-cost materials, students have access from the first day of class and are less likely to fall behind. Moreover, they can use the money they save to purchase materials fo their other classes, thereby enhancing their overall potential for academic success.
Dr. Moe Folk is leading the Kutztown OER creation team that is participating in this important US Department of Education OER Pilot Grant. The first cohort of authors includes Dr. Michael Downing and Dr. Colleen Clemens. Dr. Downing is creating an OER for Advanced Technical Writing courses and Dr. Clemens is creating an OER for Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies courses. The second-round authors include Dr. Carolina Moctezuma who will be working on an OER for Spanish Heritage Language Learners focused on Caribbean dialects, and Dr. Sandi Leonard who is writing an OER to support Composition Courses. Doug Scott, KU's Director of Distance Education and Instructional Design is providing the team with technical support, and Jeff Warner, KU's Director, Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects, is assisting with administrative support.
Professor Stafford will collaborate with colleagues from across the state to provide primary leadership and administrative oversight for the Affordable Learning PA project for a two-year term, ending in June of 2023. He has previously served ALPA as an OER Specialist, Chair of the ALPA Education and Training Committee, and as a Steering Committee Member.
