OER (Open Educational Resources) refer to textbooks, videos, curriculum, and images that are freely available online for students and teachers without cost. The document discusses the benefits of using OER, such as free access to quality materials, cost savings, and opportunities for interaction and sharing work globally. Some challenges of OER mentioned include information overload due to the large number of available resources, ensuring the quality and accuracy of online content, and selecting resources that truly enrich the curriculum rather than just expanding it. The document concludes that OER can be valuable tools for teaching and learning if used properly by competent educators.
2. OER?
OER are Open Educational Resources that are available to you and your students
without cost.
They include:
Textbooks
Videos
Curriculum
Images
3. Why should you use them?
Access to quality material: No need to reinvent the wheel.
Cost: Schools and students have to cope with tight budgets. Free is nice!
Social responsibility: Access to information should not be limited by access to
cash.
Interaction with peers: You don’t have to be in the same room or even country
to share information!
Share and showcase the good work you do!
4. Keep these Challenges in mind!
Information Overload:
So many sources; where to start?
Quality:
Placing information on-line doesn’t make it accurate!
Relevance:
Make sure the OER you select enrich rather than merely expand your
curriculum.
5. Tool or Fad?
OER can be useful tools, but, like any tool, they are only of use in the hands of a
competent human.
Be that competent human!
