Blessing or Curse? Open Educational Resources (OER) Accessibility: The

University of the South Pacific Experience

Presentation by Alanieta Lesuma-Fatiaki & Neelam Narayan

Centre for Flexible Learning

The University of the South Pacific

Suva

AAOU Conference 2014

Jubilee College, Open University of Hong Kong

29th October

OVERVIEW

The University of the South Pacific (USP) – background

Project Background Methodology Scope & Limitations Results Recommendations Conclusion

PROJECT BACKGROUND

STAR Project 27 OER selected Testing request Outcome: 27 OER can be twenty seven OER

focusing on English language skills can be “instantly” accessed for `just-in-time’ learning opportunities for students outside LaucalaCampus.

Testing team of ETs, Learning Systems, ITS & Instructional Designers

METHODOLOGY

OER Testing site: https://sites.google.com/site/englishoerusp/

OER checklist OER testing guidelines

Load time Ease of download Navigability Devices Peak & Off-Peak periods Connection type

Site selection

SCOPE & LIMITATIONS

Time-frame Selection and thorough articulation of the

project design Inclusion of students

Occasional power surges and network downtimes

Extensive study different perspectives

RESULTS

No. of Tests

Location of Tests

Types of Devices

Connection Type

RESULTS

Load time

Ease of Download

Navigatability

• Site

• Linked resources

• Downloadable documents

• Audio-Visuals

• Downloadable documents

• Audio-Visuals

RECOMMENDATIONS & CONCLUSION

RECOMENDATIONS IT Environment Reconfiguration OER Repurposing

CONCLUSIONIs OER a blessing or a curse? We think its a blessing because even with the technical challenges that we were presented with, the project highlighted/reaffirmed for us the most valuable element of OER and that is, its “repurposing” nature that can allow us to counteract these technical challenges thus allowing our learners to access OER for their success.

Thank you!