Financing and Sustainability

This paper explores the current state of open educational resources (OER) including notable library-lead and multi-institutional programs. The potential for OER and affordable course material creation and adoption programs to impact student retention and persistence is examined. Potential additional partnerships and future directions for library-lead programs are discussed as well as the framework necessary for assessing the impact of library-lead OER initiatives.

This presentation by Tony Mays to the OER Africa 2016 Convening discusses the business model at Africa Nazarene University in the light of the changing context of educational provision. He highlights new modes of provision, and both the systemic and costing implications.

Financial issues regarding the sustainable production, dissemination, and use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in higher education are reviewed and proposed solutions critiqued. Use of OER produce demonstrable cost savings for students. Yet OER development continues to rely almost completely on government and philanthropic funding. This indicates that a mismatch exists between the financial interests of students and those of higher education institutions.

This article discusses the importance of sustainable business models to promote OER activities and describe what the authors think are essential components for sustainability.

This paper is a report on the findings of a literature review and an expert survey conducted in December 2010 with a self-selected panel. The findings depict current issues for debate, pinpoint potential obstacles and benefits of OER.

This article provides an analysis of the size, shape and model of various OER initiatives.