In Education
Open Educational Resources (OERs) have emerged as a beacon of hope, promising to reshape the way knowledge is shared but has also surfaced some difference of opinion.
Video Links:
What is an OER?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EImihZVE0sA&t=49s
CC BY SA
Why OER?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7KFAE5SXgk
CC BY SA
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At My School
The concept of OERs is not just a topic of discussion but encouraged and embrace. The benefits, as outlined by our institution, are numerous and compelling:
Affordability: OERs are free or low-cost, making them accessible to everyone.
Copyright Compliance: They can be freely shared without infringement concerns.
Customization: These resources are adaptable to various teaching methods and student needs.
Enhanced Learning: OERs can be integrated with interactive elements, enriching the educational experience.
Accessibility: They offer immediate, uninterrupted access, being mostly digital.
Financial Ease: By being cost-effective, they contribute to student success without compromising learning quality.
Co-Creation and Engagement: OERs allow for collaborative knowledge creation, not just consumption.
George Brown OER Link:
https://www.georgebrown.ca/teaching-and-learning-exchange/teaching-resources/open-educational-resources-oer-and-open-pedagogy
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Personal Perspective
While the concept of OERs is undeniably beneficial,
and I agree with everything stated above, I often ponder their reliance on the willingness of creators to make their works available.
This leads me to a ask myself:
should all educational resources be open?
The idealism of a Star Trek-esque society, where prestige supersedes monetary value, is captivating. Yet, it brushes up against the human nature to seek fair compensation for one's efforts.
The phrase by Plato, "Necessity is the mother of invention," resonates deeply with me. It underscores the human drive to ensure fair acknowledgment and reward. This drive, an inherent part of our nature, often clashes with the utopian vision of universally free educational resources.
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The Silent Heroes
Thus those who choose to create and share OERs emerge as the unsung heroes of our time.
They are the quiet innovators, the silent knights forging paths for human progress. Their contributions in every field often go unnoticed.
Remembering a sentiment of a quote from the cartoon Futurama, "When you do things right, no one will know you've done anything at all." This quote has profoundly impacted my worldview, highlighting the often-invisible nature of true selflessness, dedication and concern for the well being of others.
True Altruism!
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Closing Questions
1. A Call for Diverse Perspectives:
As I develop my understanding of OERs, I'm aware of the echo chamber that sometimes surrounds my thoughts. Therefore, I extend an open invitation to you, my readers, to challenge, debate, or expand upon the ideas I've presented!
Your unique perspectives are not just welcome, but essential a richer discussion.
What are your experiences with OERs?
Do you see potential pitfalls or unexplored benefits that I may have overlooked?
2. Reflecting on Silent Impact:
With this in mind, I invite you to reflect on this quote:
"When you do things right, no one will know you've done anything at all."
What does it mean to you?
How does it shape your view of OERs and the individuals behind them?
Are they the silent architects of our future, deserving of more recognition?
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That is all for now, Progranaughts!
Keep up the good work and never shy away from sharing your insights.
"The path to knowledge is paved with diverse voices and open dialogue."
- Philip Henderson
Quote by PGP ©2024
Image by PGP ©2024
Very interesting ideas here! I'm going to say something about the "Personal Perspective" section. While I agree wholeheartedly about the heroism that can be behind Open materials and practices, sometimes there is something in it for the creators beyond good karma -- putting a Creative Commons licence on one's work could increase one's visibility, drive traffic to one's site (thereby possibly increasing ad revenue), lead to sales of monetized artefacts, etc. There are definitely benefits to be had for creators, and in some cases, creators are even paid to produce CC-licensed materials. :) And Futurama -- endless font of wisdom! "When you do things right, no one will know you've done anything at all" is a notion I thoroughly identify with!
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