This document summarizes the pros and cons of open educational resources (OER). The key pros are that OER materials are less expensive for students, allow more flexibility in course design, have no copyright issues, and improve access to quality curriculum for all students. However, the cons are that OER materials may lack quality if not properly refined, rely on a few individuals' enthusiasm which risks them becoming a fad, often lack sustainable funding, and have limited supporting materials compared to publisher options. Overall, OER offers benefits but will require time and institutional support to grow and convince educators of their value.

1. Open Educational
Resourcs
Pros and Cons
Laura Staley / RTC Library

2. OER Advantages

3. Pros
• OER is less expensive
for students.
• Non-OER textbook costs
for one RN section, Sept
2015: $1413.75

4. Pros
• OER allows more
flexibility in course
design.
• Assign a $200 text, follow
that text closely. Assign a
free OER, add emphasis
where you want.

5. Pros
• There are no copyright
worries with OER
• With OERs, you know
that you’re not violating
copyright.

6. Pros
• OER improves access
for all students.
• Quality curriculum is
available to everyone
with an internet
connection.

7. Pros
• OER improves the
quality of materials by
allowing many
contributors.
• Curriculum reviewed and
added to by many skilled
professionals is going to
be better curriculum.

8. OER
Disadvantages

9. Cons
• OER materials may
lack quality.
• No one makes money off
OER materials. There is
often no incentive to
refine them.

10. Cons
• OER efforts currently
depend on the
enthusiasm of a few
individuals.
• Without a widespread
culture of creating and
making OER materials
available, OER may just
be one more fad.

11. Cons
• OER efforts are often
not sustainably funded.
• Many OER materials are
the result of grants.
When grant funding runs
out, efforts may not
continue.

12. Cons
• OER materials do not
yet have a great depth of
supporting materials.
• Publisher-produced
materials have extras like
test banks and presentation
slides. It will take time to
build these up for OER
materials.

13. Cons
• OER is new, and many
educators are not yet
convinced of its value.
• OER requires that
educators be willing to
give up intellectual
property. They need to be
convinced that it is
worthwhile. This may take
time.

14. Summary
OER materials are new
and will require
institutional support, but
they offer expanded
access, lower textbook
costs, and the
opportunity to create
better materials for the
world’s students.

15. The End.
Picture Credit:
• "Books" by Herman is in
the Public Domain, CC0