Empowering Teachers to Create, Use, and Share Open Educational Resources (OER)

As educators, we seek ways to enhance student learning, ensure equitable access, and collaborate with peers. Open Educational Resources (OER) offers a solution by allowing teachers to create, adapt, and share high-quality materials for free. 

This mini guide helps K-12 teachers understand, create, and share OER, empowering them to join a global movement for openness and equity in education. 

What Are Open Educational Resources (OER)?

OER are freely accessible, openly licensed materials for teaching, learning, and research, such as textbooks, lesson plans, assessments, and videos. Unlike traditional copyrighted resources, OER can be adapted to meet your classroom's specific needs without seeking permission or paying for usage. This adaptability not only supports diverse learning needs but also strengthens the bond between educators and students as they co-create the learning experience.

Benefits of Using OER

1. Cost-Free Access: OER eliminates the financial barriers associated with textbooks and other instructional materials, making quality education accessible to all.

2. Customizability: OER allows content to be tailored to the unique needs of each student, fostering a more personalised learning environment.

3. Collaboration and Sharing: Teachers worldwide contribute to and benefit from OER, creating a global pool of knowledge that can be shared and expanded.

4. Promoting Equity: By making high-quality resources freely available, OER plays a crucial role in bridging educational gaps, providing every student with equal learning opportunities.

   
   

OER vs Traditional Copyrighted Resources

Unlike traditional resources that restrict usage and sharing, OER comes with Creative Commons licences that promote adaptability and collaboration. This open approach is vital in keeping up with educational trends, as it encourages continuous improvement and innovation in teaching practices.

Why Should Teachers Engage with OER?

Engaging with OER is not just about accessing free resources; it’s about becoming part of a collaborative educational movement that enhances professional growth and supports innovative teaching practices.

Professional Development

1. Skill Enhancement: Creating or adapting OER develops skills in content curation, digital literacy, and instructional design.

2. Innovative Teaching Practices: Leveraging OER encourages creativity, enabling teachers to explore diverse ways of presenting and engaging students.

3. Recognition: Teachers who contribute to OER gain recognition within a broader educational community, extending their impact globally. 

   
   

Collaborative and Supportive Community

The global OER community offers a platform for educators to connect, share, and learn from each other. This collective effort not only strengthens educational content but also builds a network of like-minded professionals dedicated to enhancing learning experiences.

The Eureka Box

Students aren't on the sidelines. In our school, the Eureka Box initiative encourages students to actively participate in the learning process by submitting thought-provoking questions daily. This practice not only deepens their understanding of various concepts but also nurtures a sense of curiosity and engagement. 

Sidharth Batra from class 10 E of KVM, recently posed a challenging question that exemplified critical thinking and problem-solving skills, showcasing the impact of student-driven inquiry. This initiative aligns perfectly with the principles of OER, as it fosters an environment where students and teachers collaborate to create a repository of knowledge.

The best questions from the Eureka Box are not only celebrated but also integrated into the school's Question Bank Repository on the Moodle LMS. By the end of the academic session, these resources are shared on popular OER platforms, highlighting our commitment to open education and continuous improvement. This approach not only builds relationships between students and teachers but also instils a culture of collaborative learning and mutual respect.

Addressing the Challenges and Celebrating Successes

Implementing OER-based initiatives like the Eureka Box comes with its own set of challenges, such as ensuring consistent participation and maintaining the quality of contributions. However, the successes far outweigh these challenges. Students have become more engaged, taking ownership of their learning process, which in turn has strengthened their relationship with educators. This practice has also positioned our school as a leader in innovative educational methods, constantly evolving to meet the needs of modern learners.

OER and Teachers’ Contributions

Teachers contribute by creating and sharing problem-solving activities, lesson plans, and interactive learning materials that are easily adaptable across different contexts and educational levels. These contributions are a testament to the effectiveness of OER in fostering a supportive learning environment where both educators and students thrive.

How to Create and Adapt OER for Your Classroom

Creating or adapting OER is a straightforward process that empowers educators to tailor learning materials to their students' needs. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Identify Your Classroom Needs: Assess the gaps in your current resources and determine how OER can fill these gaps while engaging students effectively.

2. Search for Existing OER: Utilise platforms like OER Commons, OpenStax, and MERLOT to find materials that align with your curriculum.

3. Adapt OER to Fit Your Curriculum: Modify content to suit the grade level and cultural context of your students, ensuring it remains accessible to all.

4. Create Original OER (Optional): If necessary, create your own resources using tools like Google Docs or Canva and licence them under Creative Commons.

5. Apply the Right Creative Commons Licence: Choose a licence that best fits your resource-sharing goals, such as CC BY for maximum flexibility.

   
   

Where and How to Share Your OER

Sharing your OER materials is as important as creating them. Follow these steps to ensure your resources reach a wider audience:

1. Choose a Platform: Popular platforms like OER Commons, OpenStax, and MERLOT provide excellent venues for sharing educational content.

2. Prepare Your Content: Ensure your materials are well-formatted, tagged, and include metadata for easy discoverability.

3. Upload and Share: Once your content is ready, upload it with the appropriate licence to encourage widespread use and adaptation.

   
   

Involving Children in Curriculum Building

Empowering students by involving them in curriculum development is key to creating a more engaging and relevant educational experience. By integrating their ideas and perspectives, we not only make learning more relatable but also foster a sense of ownership and pride in their education journey. The Eureka Box initiative is an example of how involving children in the learning process can lead to remarkable contributions and inspire others.

Key Takeaway

Engaging with OER is more than just an educational strategy; it's a commitment to building a future where learning is accessible, equitable, and collaborative. By adopting practices like the Eureka Box, educators can transform the classroom into a space that values student input and adapts to the ever-evolving educational landscape. Let’s continue to inspire each other by creating, sharing, and using OER, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and connected learning community. Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of students and foster a culture of lifelong learning.