OER: BENEFITS AND RISKS

Michael BaranSeptember 14, 2016

+Major Benefits

Cost Savings More Choice for Instructors Customizable Content Thoughtful Selection Process Possible Professional Development

+

• Cost is a major issue for students1

• Publishers’ attempts to solve the problem have not been successful

2

Cost Benefits

+

• OER opens up more resources for instructor use

1

• More encourages thought into types of materials used.

2

More Instructor Choice

+

• OER allows us to mix and match resources.

1• This creates the

possibility of a richer and more customized curriculum.

2

Customization of Materials

+

• The process of selection of materials becomes more thoughtful.

1

• This should lead to better decisions on what to assign.

2

Encourages a More Thoughtful Process of Resource Selection.

+Major Risks

Quality of Materials Sustainability and Compensation Citation Issues Lack of Availability in Some Subjects Licensing Issues

+

• Materials offered may not have prior vetting.

1• Instructors need to

pay attention to currency and quality of materials to be selected.

2

Quality of Materials

+

• Materials need to be constantly updated and require a constant investment in faculty time.

1

• Compensation may not be available on a regular basis.

2

Sustainability and Compensation

+

• Citation is a cumbersome process with its own terminology.

1

• This ads time to the selection process.2

Citation Issues

+

• Material is not available for all subjects or at all student levels.

1

• This means that working with OER is not always practical.

2

Lack of Materials in Some Subject Areas

+

• Licensing is a complication.1

• Licensing is permanent.2

Licensing Issues

The End