Pros and Cons
Pros and cons of using Open Educational Resources
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| No cost | Quality may be an issue with free resources | |
| Available on demand | May be difficult to find appropriate OER | |
| Adaptable (depending on CC licensing) | Technical issues may arise | |
| Flexible/Scalable | User must maintain, create, and update the content | |
| User maintains ownership | Copyright concerns |
How faculty benefit by creating OER:
Customization: Modify your course content from semester to semester.
Accessibility: Access your course materials immediately.
Creativity: Create additional course content.
Reduced costs: No need to buy a textbook.
Scholarship: Make a contribution to the openly accessible scholarship and resources in your discipline.
How students benefit from OER:
Immediate and perpetual access to course materials.
Edit and modify course materials.
Add digital highlights, notes, and comments.
Access is freely available.
How Traditional Textbooks Compare to Open Textbooks
"How Open Textbooks Compare" by Open Textbook Alliance is licensed under CC BY 4.0.