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BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF USING OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OERS) ADRIAN LUCERO

Benefits and challenges of using oer

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Page 1: Benefits and challenges of using oer

BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF USING OPEN

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OERS)

ADRIAN LUCERO

Page 2: Benefits and challenges of using oer

BENEFIT: SHARING IS GOOD!!!

• Everyone has the right to learn and the freedom of access provides many new learning opportunities.

Page 3: Benefits and challenges of using oer

BENEFIT: NO MORE WASTED WORK & MONEY

• Many public institutions develop nearly the same materials using tax dollars. If they share or collaborate less dollars are wasted as well as time.

Page 4: Benefits and challenges of using oer

BENEFIT: CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

• With each share, the resource can get modified and improved(updated, accurate, more engaging). The work to improve the resource gets shared rather than putting the burden on one.

Page 5: Benefits and challenges of using oer

BENEFIT: COMPETITIVENESS FOR INSTITUTIONS

• If textbooks are replaced by OERs, the total cost of attendance can become less expensive which will attract more students. At some institutions the textbook cost is so high it can be almost half of the cost of taking the course.

• OERs tend to be more engaging from studies so far. This can attract more students who prefer OER courses over other traditional courses.

Page 6: Benefits and challenges of using oer

BENEFIT: SHOWCASE YOUR TALENTS

• If some great OERs are created by or improved by someone then it can bring more attention to the person’s talents. More respect can be gained since the OER is shared more easily.

Page 7: Benefits and challenges of using oer

CHALLENGE: SEEN AS MORE WORK

• A challenge to using OERs is that it can be seen as just more work for the instructor when they can adopt a textbook and use the provided PowerPoints and test banks. This is true, however, will students benefit? Are all textbooks the best quality and have everything you could ever want?

Page 8: Benefits and challenges of using oer

CHALLENGE: BOOKSTORES AND STUDENTS WHO NEED PRINT• Some students need or prefer a printed textbook. Some OER

textbooks can be printed and a selling point is the cheaper price than published textbooks from the campus bookstore. However, many bookstores are now renting textbooks at prices comparable to the cost of printing an OER textbook.

• Is OERs are used, students can benefit from referring back to a resource they own long after a course has ended. The extra availability of an open resource that never expires, unless it is taken down, can be priceless for learning anywhere, anytime.

Page 9: Benefits and challenges of using oer

CHALLENGE: LOSE AUTONOMY• Instructors feel they will lose autonomy over what they choose

since many textbooks are collaboratively created. However, many resources can still be changed into many more derivative versions that suit teaching preferences and needs for courses. The licenses just need to be checked to make sure derivatives are allowed.

• Additionally, some instructors will have a strong unwillingness to use something that was created by someone else. Even if they can revise and remix the resource their ego will prevent them from taking advantage of the resource. A huge paradigm shift and a willingness from individuals are needed.

Page 10: Benefits and challenges of using oer

CHALLENGE: POLICIES THAT HINDER WHAT IS USED

• Most institutions set how a course will be taught and what will be used. Adjuncts will have to operate within these constraints and full-time faculty are sometimes told that they have to use a certain textbook.

• Instructors can sometimes add supplemental resources of their choosing but often policies are too restrictive. Honest conversations within institutions can lead to change.

Page 11: Benefits and challenges of using oer

CHALLENGE: QUALITY

• There are concerns over the quality OERs may have. It is possible that if a resource is not viewed and shared much that no one will check on its quality and improve it. Few repositories have internal peer review systems in place to check resources before they are posted and shared.

Page 12: Benefits and challenges of using oer

CHALLENGE: LACK OF EVIDENCE OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

• At this time there is little to no hard data on OERs’ specific impact on student achievement. It is assumed because of access to a no-cost textbook that students will be able to fully participate in a course, engage the material, and will perform better.