Sunday 9 February 2014

1st Learning Reflection #OCL4Ed

I totally agree with Stephen Downes in addressing that Open Licensing of textbook or use of OER will save money for our students and at the same time allow more collaborative approach of sharing resources. In addition in the near future it can contribute to a cheaper education system for all.

The use of OERs at University of the South Pacific (USP) has recently gained some popularity ans some teaching staff are now using OER in their courses. But this is on a very small scale and the OER's used are just bits and pieces of materials from open content provided. Moving into open text books will be a challenges but we think it will start to happen soon.

3 comments:

  1. Yes textbooks seems to be a big one everywhere, my question is as great as OER is and sharing freely is good, but as with most things when it becomes more and more popular, money always comes into it, who pay the content providers? Should people be paid for their work? Is it governments? What are the long term implications? How long will it be free? How does it sustains itself?

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    1. Good points. This is really very complex. End of the it is always about money. If no text book no money for publishing companies as well as no money for book writer/author etc. Are we ready? Maybe or Maybe not.

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  2. And this will help learners who has luck of resources and to avoid over pricing of many schools, colleges and universities as well as publishers.

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