This presentation outlines benefits and challenges associated with OER.

1. Benefits and
Challenges OER: An
Overview
ASSIGNMENT 9-1
H. MECHLER

2. Comparisons
Benefits
 Reduces costs
 Increases options for students and
educators
 Increases access/attainability of the
source
 Reduces the unknown about whether
the material is copyrighted
 Increases types of resources that may
be integrated into curriculum
Challenges
 The quality of OER resources
 The sustainability of OER
 Little information may be known
about OER in the public
 Non-revocable Creative Commons
License
 Accessibility of resources

3. Benefits-- Overview
 Reduces costs for students.
 Increase options for the types of educational resources that educators use
(as well as what students may read/use as tools in their classes).
 Increases attainability of the source after the class terms have passed.
 Reduces worry about using sources due to the unknown about whether
they may be protected by copyright.
 Providing students access to online resources increases the probability of
them using and accessing the materials.

4. Benefits, Continued
 Costs: Students may not have to purchase textbooks due to OER. This
would greatly reduce costs associated with attending college. In turn, this
may increase retention of students.
 Options: A broader variety of resources may be available to educators to
use within their classes. In turn, students may receive an increased amount
of exposure to diverse materials.
 Unknown: Using OER reduces worries about whether the resources are
protected by copyright.
 Access: OER provides students with opportunities to access materials even
after the class term has passed.

5. Challenges-- Overview
 Ensuring the quality of OER materials.
 Possible questioning regarding the funding/sustainability of OER.
 Little information may be known about how to use OER by those in the
public.
 Anyone may use work and make copies of the materials posted in OER due
to Creative Commons Licenses being non-revocable.
 Materials in OER may not always be accessible.

6. Challenges, Continued
 Quality: Not every OER resource may be checked for accuracy or quality of
information. This should be considered by educators before integrating
the material into their curriculums.
 Future: The sustainability of OER may be questioned in terms of whether it
may be able to continue in the future due to funding.
 Accessibility: Individuals who are not aware of OER may not have
information about how and when they may access such materials. Also, not
every OER resource may be available for individuals to access.
 Non-Revocable: Creative Commons Licenses are non-revocable; anyone
may make copies of the materials and distribute them.