Open Access educational resources
What are Open Access Educational Resources?
Open Educational Resources are publicly available materials for educational purposes and the learning process. They are provided for free with the right for further use. The aim is to provide access to knowledge and various resources useful in the teaching process to as many users as possible, thus preventing digital exclusion. Open Educational Resources can include various types of materials, such as: textbooks, courses, lesson plans, presentations, tutorials, multimedia, tests and games, other learning tools.
The idea of Open Educational Resources uses the experience of the Open Access movement promoting the idea of open science. The term appeared for the first time during the Forum on the Impact of Open Courseware for Higher Education in Developing Countries at UNESCO in 2002.
Among the most important international documents defining the role and possibilities of the open educational resources movement, the key one is the Cape Town Open Education Declaration (new window), which defines the goals and methods of initiative. Its text is available here. In Poland, the development and promotion of this movement is supervised by Koalicja Otwartej Edukacji (nowe okno) (Coalition for Open Education) – agreement of non-governmental organizations and institutions operating in the field of education, science and culture.
The advantage of Open Educational Resources is its creation based on an open and social model. Many creators can share their own materials and studies, and other users who have access to them can supplement, improve and distribute them on an ongoing basis. As a result of such extensive cooperation, the most up-to-date versions of materials are created, which ensures long-term high quality and compliance.
Open Educational Resources quality
According to the University of Illinois Library list, when evaluating Open Educational Resources, attention should be paid to:
1. General aspects:
- the material was reviewed by other teachers or it is possible thanks to the method of its publication,
- the materials contain the author and affiliation,
- teaching methods are relevant to the topic and target group,
- the method of publication allows for the adaptation and improvement of the content.
2. Material adequacy:
- the content is accurately described and thoroughly prepared,
- sources are cited,
- relationships to learning objectives, learning outcomes are provided.
3. Technical aspects:
- high technical quality,
- clear license definition (Creative Commons, public domain),
- a license that allows you to remix and further share.
Recommended links::
Based on: Mapa Otwartych Zasobów Edukacyjnych; Koalicja Otwartej Edukacji: https://koed.org.pl/?lang=pl