Slide presentation created as an assignment for OER 101.

1. O-pen
E-ducational
R-esources
(OER)
By Jo Crandall

2. A beginner's
perspective
Open educational resources (OER) are a treasure trove for both
teachers and learners in countless subject areas. But finding
them, evaluating them, and implementing them can be fraught
with challenges. These challenges, in my opinion, are worth
overcoming, as the benefits – far more numerous than I've listed
here – outweigh them handily.
Charleston Charter School for Math and Science by Henry
deSaussure Copeland Is licensed under CC BY-NC

3. Challenges of OER
 LEG WORK – It takes time and energy to research the available options for your educational
goals
 SCOPE – Different topics and grade levels may have drastically different amounts and
varieties of resources available
 DURABILITY – As time goes on and organizations change, the dependability of OER
projects may be jeopardized
 LICENSE – To properly engage with OER as either a producer or consumer, it is imperative
to learn the various licensing differences and to attend to them carefully
 DISAGREEMENT – While awareness of OER as viable and even superior educational
options, not every educator or institution holds the same perspective of their value or
appropriateness in higher education

4. Benefits of OER
 DYNAMIC – So many resources can be used in a dynamic fashion, allowing one to adapt
and expand to meet the needs of a course
 CONTRIBUTE – Educators who are not classic "textbook authors" can now contribute to the
landscape of educational materials just as easily
 VOICE – More perspectives on the opportunities for teaching and learning a given subject
can join the educational conversation
 CROSSOVER – Content and engagement ideas that are found throughout OER resources
can be mixed and matched, allowing course designers to benefit even from content outside
their specific area
 AFFORDABILITY – Educational institutions and students alike benefit from low- and no-cost
resources

5. In conclusion
 As a teacher of mathematics and a researcher of methods of teaching mathematics, I
find enormous value in engaging with both the challenges and benefits of open
educational resources. I hope, in short order, to begin contributing to this wonderful
landscape of creativity and diversity in teaching and learning.