Strategic Selections

An Open Educational Resource Framework and Applications

Abstract

Many students in higher education are experiencing a common problem.  The rising cost of textbooks and other course materials is a shared burden.  As a result, students appreciate having Open Educational Resources (OERs) as a course option to reduce the amount of out-of-pocket expenses. Incorporating high quality engaging OERs in online course is beneficial for students and faculty members.  Using OER’s in a course allows for opportunities to use the materials and to make modifications to the resources by revising, retaining reusing, remixing and redistributing. When faculty members and instructional designers use OERs, it can transform their teaching practices and increase student success. Recent literature about OERs has been emerging and guiding best practices on how to search, select, and apply the valuable resources. A research based framework for selecting OERs on the basis of fitness for purpose (Jung et al., 2016) will be provided during the session. 

Best practices will also be shared about how to implement OERs to meet Quality Matters’ standards which explicitly indicates Open Educational Resources as an instructional material that is appropriate for adult learners in standard 4. During this session, a practical approach will be explained by the presenters who selected and implemented OERs in an Instructional Technology graduate level course and in the Criminal Justice department. Session participants will be given access to an infographic providing information about OER successful implementation. Additionally, strategies will be shared about how the OER theory/framework translates into practice in university courses within the Criminal Justice department.