Embracing “OPEN”

The Benefits and Challenges of Adopting OER

content. Linda S. Williams

Why OER Matters

All Rights vs. Some RightsCopyrighted Content• Inability to revise• Content aligned to

“publishers” Learning Outcomes

• Inability to adapt content to student needs

• High cost to change course materials

CC Licensed Content

• Revision permitted• Instructors select content

based on course Learning Outcomes

• Adapt content to student needs

• Free to add, delete or augment course materials

What do students gain from OER?

• Textbook costs are removed as a barrier to success• 72% of students admit not having

purchased textbooks for at least 1 course*• Students have access to ALL course

materials on the first day of class• Students who fall behind at the start of the

term are 56% more likely to withdraw or drop a course*

*See www.oerconsortium.org and www.collegeopentextbooks.org.

What do Faculty gain from OER?

• Increased efficiency through ability to focus content on Learning Outcomes• “Teach the outcomes, not the textbook”

• Increased Effectiveness through analysis of OER content and student outcomes• Employing LMS Analytic tools allows faculty to

gauge learner engagement with content• Increased creativity and innovation in

instruction• Multimedia, video, audio and dynamic content

is accessible and adoptable

Challenges of moving to OER

• Identifying appropriate, vetted content can be time consuming• Using repositories and OER collections can

assist in this effort, but it is not a “quick fix”• Student resistance to alternative content

delivery methods• Faculty need to be aware that OER may not

be appropriate for all students in all courses• Misinformation about OER among colleagues

• Faculty involved in OER should take advantage of Professional Development opportunities to educate others (seminars, conferences)