Sharing OER Means... (transcript and more about this infographic):
- Increasing Access. Anyone with the needed technology can access free, online OER from anywhere.
- Lowering Costs. A 2022 survey by the Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) indicated that due to the high cost of textbooks, 53% of Florida college and university students did not purchase a textbook, 44% took fewer courses, 38% did not register for a specific course, and 24% dropped a course. Textbook costs therefore pose real barriers to student enrollment, coursework, and course completion.
- Adapting to Standards. With the freedom to revise, OER can be adapted to local and changing standards.
- Harnessing Student Interests. Students are empowered by co-creating OER with faculty and peers.
- Expanding Impact. Since OER are openly shared, they benefit learners beyond the institution.
- Finding Free Supplements. OER are not only textbooks! They're also myriad learning objects such as videos, images, tutorials, quizzes, and interactive activities that can supplement traditional course materials to engage students.
- Joining a Community. Practitioners openly share resources, best practices, and scholarly communications.
- Personalizing Content. OER can be adapted to be more culturally relevant to students.
- Revolutionizing Practices. Since OER can be continually updated, they can remain cutting edge.
- Democratizing Education. On a grand scale, OER allow entire courses and programs to be made available for free.
- Gaining Recognition. Open licensing lets creators stipulate their intentions for -- and get credit for -- their work.
- Globalizing Classrooms. Open educational practices let students engage in scholarship beyond the institution.
- Learning. Used in meaningful, renewable assignments, OER can enable high-impact educational practices.
- Updating Materials. OER need never be out of date -- and students need not be charged for expensive new editions.
- Collaborating. Remixing allows OER to include and build upon the work of many experts.
- Recycling Materials. No need to reinvent the wheel -- OER let faculty share and reuse high quality materials.
- Transforming. Creatively transform OER into new resources. Transform the learning experience by removing barriers.
- Supporting Underserved Populations. With intentionality, OER can help mitigate the disproportionate impact of textbook costs. OER can also offer more inclusive representation of diverse populations than traditional textbooks.
- Benefitting from Others' Expertise. Use and build on OER created by experts in your field.
- Encouraging Growth. Invite students to contribute their expertise to a scholarly conversation.
- Inspiring Others. Create work that others can use and build upon.
