Effective Strategies for Incorporating Open Educational Resources into the Classroom

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify strategies that would ensure the successful implementation of open educational resources (OERs) in the classroom. OERs are freely available content and media that can be used for teaching purposes. This reflects a transition from the classic textbook to a new educational paradigm. Often touted as a means to significantly reduce student expenses and expand the scope of knowledge beyond textbooks, anecdotal evidence indicate that the approach has had mixed results in the classroom. Based on student feedback and a faculty survey, University of Maryland University College (UMUC) graduate school students and faculty members shared their perspectives of the benefits and challenges associated with OERs. Based on these findings, a number of best practices were identified to address the major concerns related to the approach.