OER Course Assignment 7-1

1. Benefits and Challenges
of using Open
Educational Resources
ASSIGNMENT 7-1
KIMBERLY SCHULTE

2. Benefits of Using Open Educational Resources
 Education/knowledge can reach a wider audience.
 Learners across the globe can have repeated and unlimited access to information.
 Savings to the learner.
 The cost of textbooks and other course materials is increasing exponentially, OER’s allows
students to save on these costs.
 Allows for continual update or improvement of information.
 You don’t have to worry about a text being out of date with OER’s you can search for the
most current and most relevant data.
 Increases reputation of school, course and educator.
 When information is available for all to see, it is subjected to intense scrutiny which can help
increase the status of the school or educator.
 Can act as a hook or a “gotcha” for learners.
 Accessing a variety of information may increase a person’s desire to obtain higher education
or it may help them narrow down a field of interest.

3. Challenges of Using Open Educational Resources
 Accuracy of information.
 While it may be accessible, it does not mean the information is accurate or current.
 Language issues.
 This can become a barrier if the learner is not versed in the language of the OER.
 Unwillingness of some to share.
 Not everyone is willing to share their information which can lead to a deficit of quality OER’s in
some areas.
 Some schools are not equipped with the necessary technology to support the use of
OER.
 Some schools, especially K-12, do not have the means, funds or technology to support the use
of OER’s.
 Confusion over what is truly OER’s.
 Some educators have a fear of overstepping or are not sure what is considered an OER so they
avoid them altogether.