Foundations for OER Strategy Development
The purpose of this document is to provide a concise analysis of where the global OER movement currently stands: what the common threads are, where the greatest opportunities and challenges lie, and how we can more effectively work together as a community. The first draft was born from a meeting of 26 OER leaders in February 2015. We then shared this document on global and regional OER lists... more
Open Practices in Higher Education: Trends and Possibilities for Africa
This report, based on a desktop review, unpacks the possibilities of opennes in African higher education, launching the discussion with a presentation and explanation of the concepts and icons associated with various tenets of open practice. The discussion then moves on to explore the factors leading to the rise of openness, including a social inclination towards opennes, government... more
Lessons Learned About Coordinating Academic Partnerships from an International Network for Health Education
There is a growing trend of academic partnerships between U.S., Canadian, and European health science institutions and academic health centers in low- and middle-income countries. These partnerships often encounter challenges such as resource disparities and power differentials, which affect the motivations, expectations, balance of benefits, and results of the joint projects. Little has... more
A Guide to Open Educational Resources
JISC made a new guide on open educational resources available in March 2013 more
Demanding Role of Open Education Resources for Distance Education Universities in Pakistan
Main findings of a study of a sample of 110 students from the AIOU Islamabad revealed that OERs have a positive effect on distance education students? learning, research and professional development. Hence proper utilization and availability of OERs are needed in Distance Education to facilitate its learners in best way. Open universities may take initiative to develop such repositories in... more
Conceptual Framework for Parametrically Measuring the Desirability of Open Educational Resources Using D-Index
Open educational resources (OER) are a global phenomenon that is fast gaining credibility in many academic circles as a possible solution for bridging the knowledge divide. With increased funding and advocacy from governmental and nongovernmental organisations paired with generous philanthropy, many OER repositories, which host a vast array of resources, have mushroomed over the years. As the... more
The Openness-Creativity Cycle in Education - A Perspective
The nature of openness in education has transformed from just relating to open access to encompass a wide range of interpretations. This paper explores the concept of an 'open scholar' whose practice is shaped by digital and networked technologies. It is argued that openness represents an effective working method in this environment, and that creativity plays a key role in realising this. The... more
Herzberg, Hygiene and the Motivation to Reuse: Towards a Three Factor Theory to Explain Motivation to Share and Use OER
The list of barriers and enablers identified as influencing the use of open educational resources (OER) is extensive. However, factors and influences relating to reuse have often been noted within projects operating within a short time span, or subject to other specific conditions which limit generalizability. Evidence of reuse in practice has often emerged as isolated examples or anecdotes... more
Mainstreaming Open Educational Practice: Recommendations for Policy
Open Educational Resources, and open education more generally, is considered to have huge potential to increase participation and educational opportunities at large and to promote widening participation and lifelong learning. At the same time the past decade has shown that openness in itself is not enough to unfold these potentials. A number of elements need to be taken into account in order... more
Defining Openness: Updating the Concept of "Open" for a Connected World
The field of Social Research Methods is shared not only by the social sciences, but by many other disciplines. There is therefore enormous scope for the creation and re-use of open educational resources (OERs) in this area. However, our work with social scientists on a number of recent projects suggests that barriers exist to OER creation and use in social research methods teaching. Although... more
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