Open Educational Resources: Benefits and Challenges.pptx

The benefits and challenges of using Open Educational Resources in a writing studies classroom are introduced.

1. Open educational resources: an overview of benefits and challenges for writing studies Ashley Moser Tacoma community college

2. Benefits of OER Fountain pen writing (literacy) by Petar Milošević is licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0 CHALLENGEs of OER

3. Benefits of OER Accessibility – OER texts are easily converted into accessible formats for varying access needs, such as large font, text-to-speech, dark mode and other color regulation accommodations, and so on. Affordability – OER texts are free, saving students hundreds of dollars over the cost of purchasing or renting textbooks. Transportability – OER texts can be easily taken and viewed anywhere on any internet-capable device, or downloaded and viewed offline, without having to carry a textbook. Searchability – OER texts are easily searchable through the Find in Page function or similar browser and document viewer functions, allowing students to quicky locate words or phrases within a larger text. Diversity – OER texts allow instructors to assign works by many different authors of diverse backgrounds and experiences, rather than relying on a limited number of editors from a traditional textbook. Global Open Educational Resources Logo by Johnathasmello is licensed by CC BY 3.0

4. Challenges of OER Information Intake – Eye tracking studies ( Pernice 2017) have consistently demonstrated a difference between screen-based reading and paper-based reading, with screen-based readers often skimming or skipping the ends of paragraphs—the place where academic authors often place their most important commentary. Non-tactile – A recent review of studies on reading comprehension upheld the findings of previous reports which found that “[c]omprehension tends to be less effective when reading on screens than on paper, particularly with texts that require a deeper understanding or when reading under time pressure” (Liao et al, 2024). A variety of factors are at play here, but an important one is the absence of tactile sensations in memory storage (the feel of a book, the location of a passage on a page, the approximate depth within a book that a passage occurs, and so on). Technology – To attain the full benefits of OER (vs. hard copy printouts), students must possess the technological literacy to locate, view, and navigate OER texts. OER Educational Content Label by GBC1961 is licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0

5. Challenges of OER Ctd . Note-taking – Students often find it more difficult to take notes on OER texts on screens. Even when printed, the loose pages and challenge of organizing multiple texts makes the process of note retrieval more difficult than with a traditional text annotated by the student. Access – To utilize the benefits of (digital) OER texts, students must be able to access one or more web-based technology devices, such as desktop or laptop computers, mobile phones, or tablets. This can present financial difficulties on some students, or present access obstacles should their device become lost, stolen, or otherwise non-functional. OER Educational Content Label by GBC1961 is licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0

6. Conclusion Open Educational Resources offer a mix of benefits and challenges for students in the writing studies classroom. Working around the challenges can be done through a mixture of access services (ensuring students have access to texts) and instruction (ensuring students understand the downsides of e-texts so they are able to accommodate for them). The benefits of OER texts—especially regarding affordability and accessibility) open up many possibilities for instructors, including the all-important task of showcasing diverse and under-represented voices in composition studies. Wiley’s 5 Rs by Abbey Elder is licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0

7. References Liao, Sixin et al. “Dynamic reading in a digital age: new insights on cognition.” Trends in Cognitive Science , 28.1, pp 43-55, Jan 2024. Web. https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/abstract/S1364-6613(23)00198 -5?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1364661323001985% 3Fshowall%3Dtrue Pernice , Kara. “F-Shaped Pattern of Reading on the Web: Misunderstood, But Still Relevant (Even on Mobile).” NN/g , Nielsen Norman Group, 12 Nov 2017. Accessed 20 Sep 2024. Web. https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ f-shaped-pattern-reading-web-content/