This document discusses open educational resources (OERs) and analyzes their benefits and challenges. It notes that OERs are free to use, readily available online, and allow informal learning without course enrollment. However, their quality is not guaranteed, the breadth of information can be overwhelming, and misunderstandings about credit are possible. OERs also provide access to materials from prestigious universities but sustainability of resources may be a challenge. They avoid copyright issues but understanding different licenses and properly crediting authors can be difficult. In conclusion, the document suggests researching OERs to determine if they are useful.

1. Open
Educational
Resources:
Friend or Foe?
By Jessica Hauer

2. Affordability
Benefits
 OER’s are free to use which
makes them a great resource for
students.
Challenges
 The quality of these resources
cannot be guaranteed. They are
not required to be scrutinized
like formal texts and publisher
released materials.

3. Availability
Benefits
 OER’s are readily available with
just the touch of a mouse. They
are accessible at home, at
work, by smart-phone, etc…
Challenges
 Because they are so available
the breath of information out
there is vast and sometimes
overwhelming.
 The quality and relevance of
OER resources comes to
question with the growing
number of resources available.

4. Learners do not have to enroll in a
course to have access to OER’s.
Benefits
 OER’s can be used informally by
persons who simply want to
learn about a topic without
actually enrolling in school.
 Many of the courses available
are from highly prestigious
universities.
Challenges
 Again quality control is an issue.
If the source being used is
inaccurate, without access to an
actual teacher it is hard to
correct misconceptions.
 Misunderstandings about taking
an OER course and earning
credit through the university
offering the course can happen.

5. Access to materials from highly
prestigious universities.
Benefits
 People who cannot afford or do
not have the academic
background to allow them to
take courses at Universities'
such as Carnegie Mellon and
Harvard can access to materials
created by their faculty.
Challenges
 Sustainability of these resources
may be a challenge. Much of
the funding used to get OER’s
up and running is limited to start
up. Without funding for
maintenance and for educators
to create/share new materials
OER’s may become outdated
and obsolete.

6. No copywrite danger.
Benefits
 Open licenses allow for reuse of
materials without having to seek
permission from the author.
They are published for
availability to all.
Challenges
 Understanding the difference
between different open licenses
is needed before editing and
reuse.
 Crediting the author
appropriately can be challenging
for figure out how to do
appropriately and in an efficient
manor.

8. OER’s Friend or Foe?
 You be the judge! Do a little research and
decide for yourself if you think OER’s are
useful for your needs.