2. BENEFIT: SHARING IS GOOD!!!
• Everyone has the right to learn and the freedom of access provides
many new learning opportunities.
3. BENEFIT: NO MORE WASTED WORK & MONEY
• Many public institutions develop nearly the same materials using
tax dollars. If they share or collaborate less dollars are wasted as
well as time.
4. BENEFIT: CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
• With each share, the resource can get modified and
improved(updated, accurate, more engaging). The work to
improve the resource gets shared rather than putting the burden
on one.
5. BENEFIT: COMPETITIVENESS FOR INSTITUTIONS
• If textbooks are replaced by OERs, the total cost of attendance can
become less expensive which will attract more students. At some
institutions the textbook cost is so high it can be almost half of the
cost of taking the course.
• OERs tend to be more engaging from studies so far. This can
attract more students who prefer OER courses over other
traditional courses.
6. BENEFIT: SHOWCASE YOUR TALENTS
• If some great OERs are created by or improved by someone then it
can bring more attention to the person’s talents. More respect
can be gained since the OER is shared more easily.
7. CHALLENGE: SEEN AS MORE WORK
• A challenge to using OERs is that it can be seen as just more work
for the instructor when they can adopt a textbook and use the
provided PowerPoints and test banks. This is true, however, will
students benefit? Are all textbooks the best quality and have
everything you could ever want?
8. CHALLENGE: BOOKSTORES AND STUDENTS WHO
NEED PRINT
• Some students need or prefer a printed textbook. Some OER
textbooks can be printed and a selling point is the cheaper price
than published textbooks from the campus bookstore. However,
many bookstores are now renting textbooks at prices comparable
to the cost of printing an OER textbook.
• Is OERs are used, students can benefit from referring back to a
resource they own long after a course has ended. The extra
availability of an open resource that never expires, unless it is
taken down, can be priceless for learning anywhere, anytime.
9. CHALLENGE: LOSE AUTONOMY
• Instructors feel they will lose autonomy over what they choose
since many textbooks are collaboratively created. However, many
resources can still be changed into many more derivative versions
that suit teaching preferences and needs for courses. The licenses
just need to be checked to make sure derivatives are allowed.
• Additionally, some instructors will have a strong unwillingness to
use something that was created by someone else. Even if they can
revise and remix the resource their ego will prevent them from
taking advantage of the resource. A huge paradigm shift and a
willingness from individuals are needed.
10. CHALLENGE: POLICIES THAT HINDER WHAT IS USED
• Most institutions set how a course will be taught and what will be
used. Adjuncts will have to operate within these constraints and
full-time faculty are sometimes told that they have to use a certain
textbook.
• Instructors can sometimes add supplemental resources of their
choosing but often policies are too restrictive. Honest
conversations within institutions can lead to change.
11. CHALLENGE: QUALITY
• There are concerns over the quality OERs may have. It is possible
that if a resource is not viewed and shared much that no one will
check on its quality and improve it. Few repositories have internal
peer review systems in place to check resources before they are
posted and shared.
12. CHALLENGE: LACK OF EVIDENCE OF STUDENT
ACHIEVEMENT
• At this time there is little to no hard data on OERs’ specific impact
on student achievement. It is assumed because of access to a
no-cost textbook that students will be able to fully participate in a
course, engage the material, and will perform better.
