Faculty and students have access to a larger collection of knowledge through open educational resources (OER), however this knowledge can become overwhelming. OER allows for the most current content to be efficiently implemented, but the most up-to-date content is not guaranteed. When resources are reviewed by multiple experts on an interactive web platform, the information has potential to be more accurate, but inaccurate content could also be shared. Pooled creativity can make course content more engaging, but it risks becoming too visually complex and losing the meaning. OER aligns with today's students' access to information, but some instructors may resist the significant changes in roles brought about by the OER movement.

1. PROS AND CONS OF OER
Tanna Rasmussen, CBE Completion Coach
Columbia Basin College

2. 1. POOLED KNOWLEDGE
~Pro~
Faculty and students have the opportunity to access
a far more comprehensive and larger collection of
knowledge than was available before OER.
~Con~
Sometimes there is too much knowledge and it
becomes overwhelming and unmanageable.

3. 2. CURRENT CONTENT
~Pro~
The most current content for any topic could be
available and accessible in a format that makes it
possible for faculty to implement it efficiently and
quickly.
~Con~
The most current content may not be the content
shared.

4. 3. ACCURATE CONTENT
~Pro~
When released in the interactive web, more “experts”
are reviewing content and there is a possibility of
more accurate information as a resource is reviewed,
and at times, adjusted (if the license allows).
~Con~
Anyone can share any resources – the available
content may not be the most accurate.

5. 4. CREATIVITY
~Pro~
Pooled creativity could make course content more
interactive, interesting and even aesthetically
pleasing.
~Con~
It could go too far – content could become too “flashy”
or “busy” and the meaning of the topic could be lost.

6. 5. TODAY’S CULTURE
~Pro~
With the information age, the newest generations of
students literally have information at their fingertips.
OER is likely more familiar and natural to the culture
of these generations.
~Con~
There could be some resistance and struggle with the
massive shifts in roles among instructors and
teachers as a result of movements such as OER.