The document discusses the benefits and challenges of using open educational resources (OER) in the classroom. It states that OER can be updated frequently with current information, customized for a class's needs, and provide equal access to education for students regardless of their financial situation. However, it also notes that OER may require more maintenance over time as new information is added and old content becomes obsolete, taking away from classroom time. There is also a risk that contributors and colleges may lose interest in OER over time as initial funding disappears. The document concludes by cautioning that OER should not replace teachers in the classroom.

1. By Beffie WIlliams

3. It’s tough finding the right tools for
your teaching needs. OER can be
updated with the most current, up-
to-date information available –
giving students a
better learning
experience.

4.  OER can be quickly
revised, updated
and formatted to
fit the specific
needs of the
teachers and
students, creating
a better classroom
experience.
 Books just can’t
compete. They
aren’t able to
tweaked or revised
to fit the specific
needs of the
classroom.

5. OER affords equal
opportunity education
to those who may not
have the means –
financially, physically,
socioeconomically …
you can teach one
classroom or you can
teach all over the
world.

6. Let’s face it, books are
expensive, oftentimes
inhibiting a student’s
ability to take a class
simply because they can’t
afford the book(s). That
just doesn’t seem fair.
OER offers free or low-cost
options to students. Most
everyone is searching for
ways to save money – why
not make it easier for
students (and parents) to
do the same?

8. Due to continuous additions,
deletions, and contributions being
made by others, OER will likely
require more upkeep – taking
away valuable time from the
classroom, which in turn could
lead to teacher and student
frustration. This can include:
• web site name changes
• verification of new information
• searching for new information
when the old information
becomes obsolete

9. As individuals begin
to realize the
irrevocable nature of
CC licensure, they
may be less inclined
to contribute their
time, knowledge and
resources to OER.
Colleges may stop
contributing
financially to OER
once their grant
monies run out –
leading to less and
less use of OER for
their course offerings.

10.  New concepts are a
tough sell
 Many people don’t
do well with change
– they find it
cumbersome, time
consuming and
simply not worth
their time
 It takes time,
energy and money
to spread the word
about new concepts

11. Similarly, we don’t want
to “let computers teach
our students.” OER is a
fantastic resource, but
we can’t afford to allow
OER to replace a
teacher’s presence in
the classroom.