Open Educational Resource

The theory underlying an open education resource (OER) is that education is a public good and that openness can have a strong, positive effect in education. In addition to open textbooks, there many other learning support resources including interactive games and simulations, feedback on questions through intelligent tutoring systems, and the like. An OER may range from a simple pdf homework assignment to a full-scale online course.

An OER can:

• Radically reduce costs

• Deliver greater learning efficiency

• Promote continuous improvement of instruction and personalized learning

• Encourage translation and localization of content

• Offer equal access to knowledge for all

Barriers for introducing OERs include:

• Uneven, disorganized supply

• Incompatible policies and lack of incentives

• Lack of standards

• Limited proof of effectiveness

• An OER may depend on access to technology

Naturally, OERs are receiving substantial attention from the education community. Here are few resources that will allow you to learn more:

• University of Wisconsin-Madison's Educational Innovation site on Open Educational Resources

• William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

• The Battle for Open, by Martin Weller

Examples of Open Educational Resources

Naturally, examples help to illustrate a concept. For examples of OERs most closely aligned to our goals, check out:

• An Online Statistics Book , developed at Rice University (also available in an IBook format).

• To see an OER in practice, you might check out the OpenStax College initiative sponsored by Rice University. There are dozens of books there for free.

• The American Yawp is a free and online collaboratively built textbook on American History.