Education is undergoing profound change since information and its cost are decreasing and easily accessible. Thus, Open Educational Resources (OERs) come as an essential tool, within this revolution-a wealth of free, high-quality learning materials to be accessed, modified, and shared freely and at no cost by anyone, anywhere.

This article explores the world of OERs, defines the term, highlight its benefits, and explains its differences from traditional free resources. It argues that OERs can revolutionize teaching and learning and empower educators and learners in the process.

Let us a give it a quick read and understand the term.

What is Open Educational Resources?

Open Educational Resources (OERs) are learning and teaching materials that are freely available online for anyone to use. OERs can consist of full courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, videos, tests, software, and other tools, materials, or techniques used to support access to knowledge. Usually, small units of OER (e.g., animations, videos, podcasts, etc.) are most attractive to educators from both the re-use and production angles, as they are easier to embed into the existing classroom or online learning activities. Many teachers embed OER material into teaching sessions (e.g., classroom sessions, practical classes, workshops, seminars) and provide links to OERs via the VLE to enhance self-directed learning opportunities.

Simply put, Open Educational Resources (OERs) are teaching and learning resources freely accessible online and open for all users to use, modify, and share. This ‘open’ nature distinguishes OERs from other online resources. OERs include courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, videos, assessments, software, and other resources, materials, or methods that facilitate knowledge access.

Smaller OER units (such as animations, films, podcasts, etc.) are typically more appealing to educators from the perspectives of production and re-use because they are simpler to include in already-existing in-person or virtual learning activities. To improve options for self-directed learning, many educators incorporate open educational resources (OERs) into classroom sessions, practical classes, workshops, and seminars. They also provide links to OERs through the VLE.

What Advantages Do OERs Offer?

The creation, distribution, and use of open educational resources (OERs) in student education may offer multiple advantages to educators and learners.

Student experience:

OER will help enrich the student experience as it allows access to media-rich materials or resources to an extent that such particular individual staff members or institutions cannot provide.

It thus forms a very essential and practical skill that supports students to find, assess, apply, and cite appropriate, quality open educational resources.

Recognition:

Open Educational Resources (OERs) are a boon for both users and creators. The person who produces OERs receives external acknowledgment for their educational efforts, enhancing the reputation of their school, faculty, or organization. When users alter or repurpose OERs, both the original author and their students gain from any upgrades or additions, fostering a sense of shared achievement and appreciation.

Marketing and external relations:

Open and Distance Education Resources (OERs) allow higher education institutions and organizations to showcase their innovative and exceptional teaching and learning practices while expanding the pool of qualified candidates for their programs.

Efficiency:

OERs have the potential to save a significant amount of money and effort, making educators and institutions feel resourceful and effective in their teaching and learning practices.

How does OER differ from free resources?

• While free resources are always available, not all free resources are open educational resources (OERs). The key difference lies in the ‘open’ nature of OERs, which allows users to freely use, modify, and share the resources as long as they adhere to the terms of the open license.
• Free resources could be free for a short while or eventually be restricted in use and/or charge a price. Furthermore, free but not open resources cannot be altered, amended, or disseminated again without the copyright holder’s express consent.
• Beyond being “free,” OERs may provide “freedoms” like the ability to modify or create copies in other formats. To find out if the Open license will permit the use you want, you must review its terms.

Reference Links:

Kachota, B. (2022). Open Education Resource Policy Adoption in Tanzania Higher Learning Institutions: A Literature Review. https://core.ac.uk/download/543147390.pdf

Mathew, S., & Kashyap, U. (2019). Impact of OER Materials on Students’ Academic Performance in an Undergraduate Astronomy Course. Journal of STEM Education : Innovations and Research, 20(1), 46-49.