OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER)Benefits and challenges of using open educational resources

By Adam Diaz

BENEFITS

Lower educational cost to students

Promotion of freedom of information

Promotion of collaboration among educators and professionals

Flexibility for instructors to develop and customize materials

Ease of distribution

CHALLENGES

Potential lack of quality control

Cost to produce without incentive for profit

Potential lack of continuity

Potential incomplete information

Potential for top resources to be buried among mediocre resources