Open Educational Resources (OER) Policy at the University of Edinburgh

Stuart Nicolstuart.nicol@ed.ac.uk

OER …• Vision• Policy• Support

OER vision1. For the common good: Teaching and learning materials

exchange to enrich the University and the sector;

2. Edinburgh at its best: Showcasing openly the highest quality learning and teaching;

3. Edinburgh’s treasures: Making available online a significant collection of unique learning materials available openly to Scotland, the UK and the world, promoting health and economic and cultural well-being.

The University encourages staff and students to use, create, and publish OERs to enhance the quality of the student experience, enhance the provision of learning opportunities for all, and improve teaching practices. It also recognises that use, creation, and publication of OERs are consistent with the University’s reputation, values, and mission to:“make a significant, sustainable and socially responsible contribution to Scotland, the UK and the world, promoting health and economic and cultural wellbeing”.

Purpose of the OER policy

Welcome

Open educational resources (OERs) are digital resources (e.g. course material, images, video, multimedia resources, assessment items, etc.) that are used in the context of teaching and learning.Released by the copyright holder under an open licence (e.g. Creative Commons) permitting their use or re-purposing (re-use, revision, remixing, redistribution) by others.

How the policy defines OER

Why OER?Creation of OER has big benefits to individuals, educational institutions and society as a whole.

Why re-invent the wheel?Free up time to spend on other aspects of the teaching and learning process & expand your range of teaching materials.Raise your profile… and increase your impact whilst allowing others to improve your resources.Take your resources with you… when you move from one institution to another.Improve your teaching… by encouraging you to reflect, connect with people interested in the same areas as you & get broader and different views on topic areas.

Policy in context: some background

Committees

Reports

Policies

Policy needs action:Information Services Group’s

support for OERs

• Central supported service: myself and Stephanie (Charlie) Farley

@OpenEdEdinburgh open.ed@ed.ac.uk• Advice / staff and student training sessions /

awareness raising• Open.Ed website (open.ed.ac.uk)– Showcasing Edinburgh’s OERs– How-to guides– News, events and blog articles

OER service