Open Educational Resources: Benefits and Challenges

Open EducationaL Resources: Benefits and ChallengesBy Kristi L. Raymond, Ed.S.Instructor, Bellevue College

Saves money on textbooksProvides wide options for resourcesProvides free supplemental course resourcesAllows students to preview the material before a course begins

Benefits for the Student:

Allows instructor to easily use the materials and not worry about copyright infringementAllows instructor to modify materials to create new materialsSaves time creating resourcesProvides mechanism to share the instructors work or research globallyEnhances the instructors reputationAllows for peer reviewBenefits for the Instructor:

Removes barriers that prevent some students from learning:- location- money- access to collegeAllows for the sharing of ideas across cultures

Benefits for Society:

Little research on the efficacy of using OER materials versus traditional materialsLimited quality controlChallenging to maintain the courses for the long-termLack of public knowledge about OERNon-revocable nature of the licensing Time consuming to find appropriate OERLack of understanding and awareness by facultyChallenges: