presentation at the edu_learn conference 2011, barcelona, spain

Faculty of Cultural and Social Sciences

Department of Instructional Technology & Media


THE PERVADING NOTION OF OER AS A NETWORKED CONCEPT TO FACILITATE COOPERATION AND TEAM-

BASED DEVELOPMENT

M. Deimann; FernUniversität in Hagen (GERMANY) C.A. van Dorp; EADTU (NETHERLANDS)

A. Pollini; International Telematic University Uninettuno (ITALY)


Open Educational Resources § Free access to open content; provided free of charge§ Content is liberally licensed for re-use in educational activities;

free from restrictions to modify, combine and repurpose§ For educational systems/tools software is used for which the

source code is available§ Currently Second Generation of Projects such as “Open

Educational Resources in Higher Education (OER HE)” with EADTU as Coordinator

§ Goal: To extend the achievements on OER as initially launched under the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Grants

§ Work package on Team-Based Development

04.07.11 Department of Instructional Technology & Media


Challenges of OER§ Little awareness of the idea of OER in Germany (Zauchner et al.,

2008)§ Little reputation of adopting OER for teachers (Angster &

Uphoff, 2009)

However, these are rather assumptions which are not based upon empirical data

§ On the other side, there are surveys (OECD: Giving knowledge for free, 2007) that revealed different challenges

§ However, the focus was on the macro-level not on the individual

§ Therefore, a study was conducted to focus on the micro-level in German-speaking countries



Delphi-Study§ Criteria for selecting experts

§ Documented experiences with OER (traceable) § Worked with OER practically and/or scientifically § Different backgrounds (e.g. sociology, computer science)

§ Panel of 12 Experts from German-speaking countries with an average experiences of ten years with E-Learning

§ Two rounds: (1) Qualitative interviews discussing six theses on OER

(2) Quantitative survey with questions extracted from the interviews



Results§ Definition and perception of OER is elaborated and differentiates

between distinct aspects§ OER is perceived as a buzz-word; however it has not yet been

incorporated into Higher Education (Paradox)


Hurdle Example N

Cultural Academic teaching not based on sharing; “Not invented here”; strong focus on research at the expanse of teaching

10

OER-specific Low degree of awareness; missing initiatives (as opposed to Open Access); too little OER materials

8

Legal Uncertainty: What can I use? How can I use it? 4

Technical Insufficient usability of OER; search engine for OER is missing 4


Case Studies of Team-approaches in OER§ Humanities Network

● One of the longest established and most active networks in the Humanities

● Share understanding of open and distance learning

● New approach: complementary course production

● Theme-oriented rather than team-based

§ MedNet● Promotes harmonisation of Euro Mediterranean education

● OER recently included in the strategic development plan

● Hierarchical, top-down, approach


Expert interviews§ How can OER be promoted in European Higher Education?§ Experts coming from US, UK, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland,

Germany§ Interviews conducted between January and March 2011 § Some Results:

● Commercial effect: link OER with more commercial products of the organisation (e.g. educational or training courses)

● Network effect: gradually explore and elaborate functional networks for OER design, development, and delivery

● Cooperation effect: gain access to other teams and institutions to co-produce OER


Recommendations

I. Establish a common knowledge base (team related aspects and OER)

e.g., ensure mutual benefits for all stakeholders by setting clear goals for the engagement with OER

II. Set shared quality criteria for OER (based on a theoretical framework)

III. Propose a team approach by utilizing a blended approach

IV. Definition of logical and pedagogical infrastructures for OER

V. Develop strategies to promote OERe.g. stress mutual gains; build social capital


Summary and Discussion• OER as a powerful innovation with increasing impact on

Higher Education• Despite of the euphoria for the key principles, OER still has

to tackle major challenges• This requires a solid empirical data base (mostly qualitative

to explore the dynamic field)• New focus on team work as an important form of

academic cooperation• Recommendations to insprire teams



Thank you very much for your attention!Thank you very much for your attention!