This document discusses the pros and cons of open educational resources (OERs). Some benefits of OERs include: they provide a cheaper alternative to textbooks for students who do not qualify for financial aid; they allow HS21+ students to earn credits towards their diploma; and instructors can adapt existing OERs to create new lessons without reinventing the wheel. However, some drawbacks are that the license cannot be revoked once published; materials may become outdated; and high-quality language arts resources can be difficult to find.

1. Pros and Cons of Open
Educational Resources
Jean Markert

2.  Text books are expensive
 Many students do not qualify for financial aid so OER’s
are a cheaper alternative
 For programs who do not use textbooks OER’s are an
alternative to paper copies
What is Good About Open
Resources?

3.  High School 21+ (HS21+) students can use OER’s to
gain competency credit toward high school
completion
 High School 21+ is an adult high school diploma which
can be earned through a combination of high school
credits and life experience. OER’s give HS21+ students
another way to earn credits
What is Good About Open
Resources?

4.  Instructors don’t have to re-invent the wheel
 Can use/adapt OER’s to create new curriculum or lessons
What is Good About Open
Resources?

5.  CC licenses make terms of use clear
 Know the exact terms under which you can use a
resource
 Know the terms under which you are copyrighting your
own work
What is Good About Open
Resources?

6.  Gives everyone equal opportunity to obtain resources
from a wide variety of schools
 Equal access for all students
 Equal access for self-study individuals
 Wide variety of materials for instructors
What is Good About Open
Resources?

7.  Be careful what you choose
 Many resources available but must be careful to find
quality
What is Bad About Open Resources?

8.  Can’t take back license
 Can take down resource but can’t stop people who have
already accessed it
What is Bad About Open Resources?

9.  Must be careful of license
 If license is too open can’t control how people remix or
revise your work.
What is Bad About Open Resources?

10.  Materials may be old or obsolete
 Some materials are not kept up and may contain
obsolete or old information so users must choose
carefully and pay attention to what they are using
What is Bad About Open Resources?

11.  Good language arts material can be difficult to find
 Math and Science seem to be readily available; however,
it can be a challenge to find quality writing and reading
materials
What is Bad About Open Resources?