Discusses the benefits and challenges for students and faculty in using opening educational resources in college courses

1. Open Educational Resources
Benefits & Challenges
of
Connie Smejkal
Associate Professor, Business

2. Students Benefit from OER
• Spend less money on class materials
 A course can either reduce the cost of supplemental materials or eliminate the textbook cost
altogether.
• Reduces stress
 No waiting for a financial aid payment or payday to purchase materials.
 No waiting in the long lines at the bookstore or waiting from the Amazon shipment to arrive.
• Increases success
 Material is available on day one, no need to play “catch up” because your material is there
for you from the start!
• Learning from different perspectives
 The instructor can use several authors and resources so multiple perspectives to the material
can be used.
• More than a book to read
 OER materials are available in multiple medias making learning more than just reading.

3. Instructors Benefit from OER
• Share with other instructors
 OER provides the opportunity to share with peers, inside and outside your institution.
• Reduces stress
 There is no need to “reinvent the wheel,” materials are readily available in a number of
subjects.
 No need to worry about students asking to submit late assignments due to textbooks not
being available on the first day of class.
 No need to make concessions for students who are waiting for money to purchase class
materials.
• Increases engagement
 Materials are available in video, pictures, audio, and text. Mix-up the media used and capture
more student interest.
• Improve curriculum
 OER allows for picking and choosing curriculum. Instructors are no longer “chained” to the
“ok” textbook layout and material but can choose curriculum from a variety of authors better
suited to meet the course objectives.

4. Students Challenges with OER
• The textbook structure is gone
 Students who like to have materials, in hard copy, and all together in a book, may have a bit
of a challenge switching to either online resources or multiple handouts.
 Students who do not have Internet or high speed Internet will be at a disadvantage in
accessing materials and/or watching videos
• Change is a challenge for many
 Students can be creatures of habit (we all can be) and may have a learning curve in adapting
to this new way of obtaining course material.

5. Faculty Challenges with OER
• Time, time, time
 It is time consuming to change curriculum.
 Until using OER materials become “second nature” it will take more time to find and revise/
develop the curriculum for a class.
 Ensuring proper licensing conditions are followed can be time consuming.
• Change is a challenge for many
 The idea of leaving behind publisher notes, quizzes, and a standard text can be
overwhelming.
• Curriculum challenges
 If using links, the links will need to be checked frequently to ensure they are still active and
correct.
 Content found could be outdated and need major revisions.
 Content found could need modifications and the licensing may prevent modifications.
 Finding curriculum, in some disciplines, can be challenging.
 Letting go of “it’s mine” and sharing curriculum is a new way of thinking, for many educators.