Incentivizing
the Production and Use of Open Educational Resources in Higher Education
Institutions
[David Annand and Tilly Jensen, Athabasca University]
Link to the resource I reviewed: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/issue/view/85
Succinct
summary:
The
research was about how open educational resources (OER) are good substitute for
commercially-produced textbooks. It unfolds –
Advantages of using OER:
·
Text books cost savings for students
·
Important motivator of many educators
Factors impeding it:
·
Too much faculty time was required to locate, evaluate, and
incorporate material
·
Absence of institutional support
·
Lack of quality control and feedback procedures to improve content
and reduce error
Solution to overcome these impeding factors:
·
Financial interests of students are aligned with those of their
institutions and related faculty
·
Relatively complete, free, stand-alone OER resources are
available from several repository sites
·
Support by internal grants, or external grants from private
donors or governments
All the
above details were described through the outcome of an ongoing, financially
self-sustaining project at Athabasca University that has produced significant
cost savings for the institution, maintained equivalent student learning
outcomes and persistence rates, and enhanced aspects of the student learning
experience.
Based on my interpretation of the above research publication, the two most
important implications of OER for learning in a digital age are:
·
OER saves cost
·
Course materials must be provided to students as part of their
tuition fees
