OER 101Theory and Practice
David WileyInstructional Psychology and Technology
Brigham Young University
#VSS2010 Workshop on Open Educational Resources
Download These Slides
http://slideshare.net/opencontent
First, the Theory
Let’s define open educational resources
Educational Resources
Textbooks, lesson plans, homework, assessments, videos, pictures, games, etc.
“Open” Describes ER
Let’s define by considering (1) unrelated, (2) necessary but not sufficient,
(3) fully specified
UnrelatedOnline
Multiple authorsInteractiveMultimedia
Integrates social media
Necessary But Not Sufficient
Free
OnlineMultiple authors
InteractiveMultimedia
Integrates social mediaFree
… But not an OER
OER, Fully Specified
Free4R Permissions
4Rs Technically Enabled
4R Permissions
ReuseReviseRemix
Redistribute
Offers easy to use 4R’s licenses
4Rs Technically Enabled
Technology employed does not interfere with users exercising the 4R permissions
Open Educational Resources
Free4R Permissions
4Rs Technically Enabled
So That’s the Theory
What’s the practice?
Practice is Fast and Loose
For many people, open means only:Linkable and Free
Why Does It Matter?
The Web gives use free,linkable access to billions of resources!
Window Shopping
With “Linkable and Free” resourcesyou can look but you can’t touch
Local Control & Empowerment
If you can’t make and distribute your own copies, you’re always at the mercy of vendors’ whims
Continuous Quality Improvement
If you can’t make revisions when necessaryyour organization can’t get better
Open is an Ideal
For a variety of (good) reasons, the ideal is approximated with varying fidelity
A Spirit of Openness
We welcome and appreciate everyone’s efforts toward sharing and being open
Some Examples
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