The document discusses the benefits and challenges of open educational resources (OER). It notes that OER can reduce the cost of education and allow lifelong access to materials. However, it also points out challenges like ensuring the accuracy and quality of sources, limited availability of materials in some subjects, issues with proper attribution, and questions around the sustainability of funding. While OER provides greater accessibility, there are also potential downsides to consider regarding content management, availability, and information overload.

1. Jeff Lawrence

2. BENEFITS OF OER
• REDUCES THE COST OF EDUCATION – PROVIDES A REPRIEVE FOR STUDENTS AND MAKES EDUCATION
POSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO OTHERWISE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD THE OPPORTUNITY.
• RETAINABILITY – ALLOWS USERS TO ACCESS EARLY AND OFTEN. MAY USE AFTER COMPLETION OF
COURSE FOR REFERENCE.
• ADVANTAGE: TECHNOLOGY – TODAY’S STUDENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO READ/STUDY MATERIAL ONLINE
USING MULTIPLE DEVICES RATHER THAN PICKING UP (OR HAULING AROUND) A TRADITIONAL TEXTBOOK.

3. BENEFITS OF OER
• ACCESSIBILITY: MULTIPLE ACCESS POINTS AND DEVICES MAKES OER A VIABLE SOLUTION TO ALL THE
TIME/ANYTIME STUDY OR REFERENCE.
• CURRENT/UPDATED MATERIAL – HISTORICAL INFORMATION IS NECESSARY BUT THE ABILITY TO
COMPARE/CONTRAST WITH MORE RECENT INFORMATION PROVIDES A BETTER EXPERIENCE. STUDENTS
WANT TO BE ABLE TO RELATE TO THEIR WORLD.

4. CHALLENGES OF OER
• SOURCE AND MATERIAL ACCURACY AND QUALITY – THE INTERNET PROVIDES A PLETHORA OF INFORMATION
WITH VARYING DEGREES OF TRUTHFULNESS. CONTENT MANAGEMENT CAN BE DIFFICULT.
• AVAILABILITY OF MATERIAL – NOT ALL SUBJECT AREAS ARE WELL REPRESENTED IN OER. THIS SEVERELY LIMITS
THE USE IN SOME COURSES. ADDITIONALLY, FINDING HIGHER LEVEL COURSE WORK COULD BE TAXING DUE TO
DEVELOPMENTAL SHORTFALLS.
• ATTRIBUTION – CITING AND ENSURING PROPER CREDIT IS ANNOTATED ON ALL WORK USED CAN BE TIME
CONSUMING AND FRUSTRATING FOR BOTH EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS.

5. CHALLENGES OF OER
• SUSTAINABILITY – RECENTLY MINTED AND GROWING IN POPULARITY, OER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO
WITHSTAND THE SECOND ROUND OF FUNDING SOURCES. EVEN THOUGH IT IS CURRENTLY FREE FOR USE,
FUTURE FUNDING FOR MAINTENANCE AND CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT COULD BECOME AN ISSUE.
• CAN BE OVERWHELMING – WITH THE VAST AMOUNT OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE: HOW MUCH
INFORMATION IS TOO MUCH INFORMATION.

6. MY OPINION
• AS AN EDUCATOR, USING OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE (OER):
• PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH GREATER ACCESSIBILITY TO COURSE MATERIALS
• HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE RETAINABILITY OF SUBJECT MATTER
• SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE COST OF EDUCATION
• IF MAINTAINED, MAKES SUBJECT MATTER MORE RELEVANT AND CURRENT
• MAY NOT BE A VIABLE SOLUTION DUE TO THE LACK OF AVAILABILITY IN CERTAIN TOPICS AND COURSE LEVELS
• HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A GAME CHANGER IN THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION