OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

BENEFITS &

CHALLENGESSusan Kidd

OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER)

WHAT ARE THEY?

Materials in a variety of media that can be freely used and distributed Textbooks Lesson Plans/Modules Pictures Videos Etc.

Either in the Public Domain or Licensed under Creative Commons

Public Domain vs

Creative Commons

Public Domain – materials that either do not have a copyright, or for which the copyright has expired

Creative Commons – materials for which the creator holds a copyright, but allow to be used without cost under specific conditions

ADVANTAGES Save students the cost of expensive

textbooks Expand access to rich materials Can raise the professional status of

creators Provide multiple ways of presenting

the same information

CHALLENGES Verifying reliable content Providing correct attribution Time spent finding OER Keeping material fresh over time