The Benefits and Challenges of using Open Education Resources

Presented byCarol Lewellen

Instructor, Energy ManagementEdmonds Community College

Benefits of OER

• Can get the most up to date info

Benefits of OER

• Can get the most up to date info• FREE!!

Benefits of OER

• Can get the most up to date info• FREE!!• Very environmentally sustainable (doesn’t kill

trees)

Benefits of OER

• Can get the most up to date info• FREE!!• Very environmentally sustainable (doesn’t kill

trees)• Accessible to students around the world

Benefits of OER

• Can get the most up to date info• FREE!!• Very environmentally sustainable (doesn’t kill

trees)• Accessible to students around the world• No re-inventing the wheel

Benefits of OER

• Can get the most up to date info• FREE!!• Very environmentally sustainable (doesn’t kill

trees)• Accessible to students around the world• No re-inventing the wheel• Easy to find licensing agreement with known

definitions

Challenges of OER

• Finding right resources takes time

Challenges of OER

• Finding right resources takes time• Difficult to know if all facts are correct and up

to date

Challenges of OER

• Finding right resources takes time• Difficult to know if all facts are correct and up

to date• Need to find sustainable funding sources for

existing OER sites

Challenges of OER

• Finding right resources takes time• Difficult to know if all facts are correct and up

to date• Need to find sustainable funding sources for

existing OER sites• Owner/creator needs to be very clear about

which CC License to use

Challenges of OER

• Finding right resources takes time• Could be difficult to know if all facts are correct and

up to date• Need to find sustainable funding sources for existing

OER sites• On some OER material, license too restrictive• Owner/creator needs to be very clear about which CC

License to use, cannot be revoked• Confusion over OER validity and ownership (old

school)

Conclusion

OER resources are a great way to build a class without expensive books or materials. It just takes a creative mind, a passion to educate students , and a clear goal of learning outcomes.

Thanks for the opportunity to learn all about them. Carol