This document discusses the benefits and challenges of using Open Educational Resources (OER) in professional-technical classrooms. The benefits include allowing for more collaborative, creative assignments; adaptable content that can be customized for specific courses; added value through "living" materials that are improved over time; and limitless options that are not confined to a single textbook. However, challenges include the time needed to find and piece together materials, limited resources specific to some fields, lack of structure for new instructors, few supplemental "extras", and reliance on technology access. Overall, the document concludes that while OER is still emerging, its flexibility and potential for innovation in technical programs outweighs these challenges and supports all students, not just those

1. Utilizing Open
Educational
Resources in the
Professional-
Technical Classroom

2. The Benefits

3.  Collaborative assignments allow for learners to get
up close and personal with course content.
 Assignments are often more creative/applicable than
those completed from a traditional textbook.
 Learner-Centered activities allow for longer
retention and application outside of the traditional
learning space
Benefit #1:
Learner-Centered Material

4. • OER textbooks often have a license that allows for
content modification, enabling instructors to
custom create materials for their specific courses.
• These “customizable” options are not solely limited
to texts, but have been found in videos, images,
case studies, assessment materials, and complete
courses.
Benefit #2:
Adaptable Content

5.  Many adopters of OER materials view them as
“living” entities.
 There is often a focus/emphasis on creating
materials to pass to other classes who then
adapt/alter materials for the next course
 Students who participate in these activities take
great pride in their “living” work.
 Course activities are designed to learn in class then
immediately apply to life outside of the learning
space
Benefit #3:
Added Course Value

6. • Utilizing OER in the classroom means you are only
limited by your imagination!
• You are not confined to a textbook and its
suggested activities
• This style of curriculum design means you can be
creative and custom tailor content to learning
scenarios and topics relevant to your learners
Benefit #4:
Limitless Options

7.  Textbooks are expensive, and no matter how we spin
it, some students cannot afford to purchase the
book.
 Or, if they can, it is because they opted not to pay
for something else.
 OER materials are low cost and often free.
 Many resources can be directly embedded into the
course LMS, meaning all coursework can be
completed on one device.
Benefit #5:
Barrier Removal

8. The Challenges

9. • Finding materials takes considerable amounts of
time for Prof-Tech instructors.
• Instead of having one primary resource, there are
often many that you piece together.
Challenge #1:
Time Consuming

10.  The number of texts for Prof-Tech coursework is
very limited when compared to it’s Gen-Ed
counterpart.
 Specific to Hospitality, the majority of OER
materials available are from Canada, requiring
considerable adaptations.
Challenge #2:
Limited Resources

11. • As there is not often one main text to work though,
there is not a set “guide” for new instructors.
• While this allows for creativity and course
customizations, it can be daunting for new
instructors and/or the first time working through
a new course.
Challenge #3:
No Structure

12.  One benefit to traditional textbooks is that they
often come with value-added “extras”, often in the
form of an online learning space and/or instructor
specific information.
 This is still an area of opportunity for OER
textbooks and courses.
Challenge #4:
Few “Extras”

13. • As many OER activities and materials are web-
based, students with limited access to technology
may struggle in the course.
• This also poses an issue for accessibility, as not all
OER materials are measured for accessibility.
• But, remember you can fix that with many OER
materials!
Challenge #5:
Technology Reliant

14. The Verdict

15.  While it is still an emerging option, the flexibility,
ingenuity, and creativity that comes with the
implementation of OER materials in Prof-Tech
programs, cannot be ignored.
 There is merit to the materials, space for the
implementation, and a need to support ALL
students, not just those with financial means.
 OER will allow for evolution within our teaching
practices from which everyone benefits.
But Who Wins???

16. Thank You!!!