An introduction to Open Educational Resources (OERs) and their adoption in teaching and learning

Abstract

The Open Educational Resource (OER) movement is growing rapidly. Many universities around the globe have launched OER projects, millions of learners have benefited from learning through OER materials, and many educational institutions, mostly distance education providers, have obtained significant rewards. However, we still have much to learn about the OER movement. It is still grappling with issues such as resistance to giving away information and knowledge, as well as their impact on teaching and learning are also matters that remain ambiguous to educational institutions. This paper will provide a brief introduction to OERs and then explore some of the teaching and learning challenges within higher education context.