The document discusses the benefits and challenges of using Open Educational Resources. Some key benefits are that OERs are affordable, readily available, do not require formal enrollment, and cover a wide array of topics. However, challenges include lack of quality control, difficulty sorting through available resources, lack of engagement with instructors, potential for outdated content, and need for knowledge of licensing. Overall, the document argues that the benefits of OERs outweigh the challenges.

1. Using Open Educational Resources:
Benefits & Challenges
Jodi Ruback

2. Affordable
Benefit
There is no cost which makes them readably accessible.
Challenge
They are not reviewed like formal texts and publisher
released materials are which means that the quality
cannot be guaranteed.

3. Readily Available
Benefit
Anyone can access these at any time, anywhere using a
variety of technology.
Challenge
There is a wide variety of material to sift through and
this may overwhelm users as they try to determine
which resources they should/should not use and the
quality of the resource.

4. No Formal Enrollment Required
Benefit
Users can access course content on topics of interest without
enrolling in classes.
An additional plus is that many open courses come from wellknown universities.
Challenge
Lack of engagement with peers and instructors may be
challenging to users when questions arise on content.
Potential for confusion about course completion vs. the
earning of credit and/or certificates of completion.

5. Wide Array of Courses/Topics to
Choose From
Benefit
Material is available on a wide range of topics and in a variety
of formats meaning users can now access open classes in
areas they are interested in.
Challenge
Sustaining open classes may be challenging because funding
for projects may not be guaranteed.
Without continuous updates of open course materials the
information included could potentially quickly become out of
date.

6. Openly Licensed
Benefit
Can be used with proper attribution which eliminates
copyright issues.
Open licenses allow for material to be adapted or improved
upon by users.
Challenge
Users must have knowledge of creative commons licenses
and the public domain and understand how materials need to
be attributed.

7. So, now what?
Personally, I think the benefits outweigh the
challenges in using open educational resources, but if
you are still not convinced:
Take the time to explore the open resources that are
out there. And, this about how you could use them to
supplement or expand upon your current curricula.
You may find that there is much you can use that has
already been created, or at the very least you may get
some fresh ideas.