OER: benefits and challengesBy William Lee

OER has captured the imagination of many people because:

Of the lower costs and improved access for students

OER has captured the imagination of many people because:

Of re-usability and potential poolingof materials/resources

OER has captured the imagination of many people because:

Of the speed at which material can be used(no need to ask permission)

OER has captured the imagination of many people because:

Of clear, simple legal definitions behind it which support authorship while allowing public use

OER has captured the imagination of many people because:

Of the potential break in connection between commerical interests and educations

OER has recognizable challenges seen elsewhere in other open source movements:

How to provide indexing and cataloguing of vast resources without central organisation

OER has recognizable challenges seen elsewhere in other open source movements:

How to assess quality to select quickly and easily the right resources

OER has recognizable challenges seen elsewhere in other open source movements:

How to ensure quality of resources rather than clutter

OER has recognizable challenges seen elsewhere in other open source movements:

Where to store OER indefinitely or for long period of time

OER has recognizable challenges seen elsewhere in other open source movements:

How to raise public awareness so that OER quickly gains momentum and secures long term funding