Giving knowledge for free : the emergence of open educational resources

Description

Learning resources are often considered key intellectual property in a competitive higher education world. However, more and more institutions and individuals are sharing their digital learning resources over the Internet, openly and for free, as Open Educational Resources (OER). This study, building on previous OECD work on e-learning, asks why this is happening, who is involved and what the most important implications of this development are. The report offers a comprehensive overview of the rapidly changing phenomenon of Open Educational Resources and the challenges it poses for higher education. It examines reasons for individuals and institutions to share resources for free, and looks at copyright issues, sustainability and business models as well as policy implications. It will be of particular interest to those involved in e-learning or strategic decision making within higher education, to researchers and to students of new technologies.  Read more... Chapter 1. Setting the Scene -- Challenges for Higher Education -- Earlier Writings on OER -- Methodology -- Chapter 2. Open Educational Resources--Conceptual Issues -- Defining Open Educational Resources -- Openness -- Educational -- Resources -- Conclusions -- Chapter 3. Who is Involved? Mapping the Open Educational Resources Movement -- Use, Users, and Producers of Open Educational Resources -- Conclusions -- Chapter 4. Why People Are Sharing: Incentives, Benefits, and Barriers --Drivers and Barriers -- Arguments for Government Involvement in Open Educational Resources -- Reasons for Institutional Involvement -- Motives for Individuals -- Conclusions -- Chapter 5. Copyright and Open Licenses -- Copyright and Open Content -- Barriers -- Policy Recommendations -- Chapter 6. Sustainability Issues for Open Educational Resources Initiatives -- Organising Open Educational Resources Initiatives -- Costs and Revenue Models -- Policy Issues Regarding the Sustainability of Open Educational Resources Projects -- Summing Up Issues Relating to Sustaining Open Educational Resourxces Projects -- Chapter 7. How to Improve Access to and Usefulness of Open Educational Resources -- Validation of Quality of Open Educational Resources -- Translation and Localisation of Content -- Web Access for Disabled People -- Technical Issues Related to Accessibility -- Chapter 8. Conclusions, Policy Implications, and Recommendations -- Glossary -- Annex A. Questionnaire on the Use and Production of Open Educational Resources -- Annex B. Examples of Policy Grids -- References.