A brief summary of benefits and challenges to using open educational resources (OER).

1. Benefits and Challenges to
Using Open Educational
Resources (OER)
by Megan Hamilton
Milwaukee Area Technical College
October 2014

2. Benefits of Using OER
1. Using free, open sources can save students and the institution money that
would otherwise be spent on costly publisher materials.
2. A variety of instructional media can be made available to support multiple
modalities of learning or provide supplemental/remedial material.
3. Has potential to promote collaboration and sharing of knowledge with
individuals from around the world.
4. Expands access of educational content to non-traditional learners, alumni.
5. Could enhance an institution's reputation.

3. Challenges of Using OER
1. Difficulty finding current, quality resources specific to one’s subject.
2. Quality of OER requires ongoing, consistent peer-based review processes.
3. OER initiatives may be unsustainable without institutional backing, funding,
training, cooperation of faculty and students.
4. Difficulty interpreting and researching copyright laws, open licenses
associated with content.
5. Perceived threats to intellectual property, faculty opposition to sharing
materials they develop.