The document discusses the benefits and challenges of open educational resources (OER). It notes that OER can increase educational integrity, be easy to use, allow for educational collaboration, provide a more dynamic model with access for more students, and reduce costs for students. However, challenges include the time needed to search for materials, ensuring quality and relevance, organizing blended resources, limited options in some disciplines, and concerns around funding and licensing. Overall, the availability and use of OER is growing.

1. OER – Benefits and Challenges
Ellen Braun
Shoreline Community College
October 2014
By openpad – CC BY NC

2. Advantages
• Legal – using OER increases educational integrity (less chance of
plagiarism)
• Practical – easy to use and takes advantage of educational collaboration
• Technical – a great way to add interactive materials to online course
sites
• Pedagogic – a more dynamic educational model with access for more
students
• Economic – reduces student costs
• Transform - Takes advantage of the work of many minds to transform a
topic

3. Challenges
• Time Consuming - Searching for the right materials
• Quality Control - Materials that are current and relevant
• Organizing - Blending materials from different sources into a quality
lesson plan
• Limited resources - Few resources for some disciplines
• Sustainability – funding, management/maintenance
• Intimidation – educators not understanding different licensing,
resource locations

4. Looking to the Future
• The availability of quality OER is growing.
• More educators have OER in mind when creating
course materials.
• It is important for institutions to provide education
about OER to the educators.