Open Educational Resources (OER) provide alternatives to textbooks and opportunities to share and improve learning materials, which can enhance learning and reduce education costs. However, OER present challenges such as verifying the accuracy and quality of content, finding relevant materials, and ensuring materials stay current without standardized quality controls.

1. Open Educational
Resourses (OER)
Benefits and Challenges
Mark Schumacher

2. OER Benefits
▪ Provides more alternatives to teaching from texbooks
▪ More opportunities to share and improve on learning materials
▪ Accelerates development of material through feedback
▪ Enhances opportunities for learning
▪ Reduces the cost of education

3. OER Challenges
▪ Must check accuracy of content
▪ Materials may not meet quality
standards
▪ Finding materials related to
subject matter
▪ Materials may not be current
▪ No standard to ensure quality
of materials