Open Educational
Resources (OER) are freely
accessible, usually openly
licensed documents and media that are useful for teaching, learning,
educational, assessment and research purposes (Wikipedia, 2013). Open
Educational Resources include: full courses, course materials, modules, learning objects, open textbooks, streaming
videos, tests, software, and any other tools, materials, or techniques used to
support access to knowledge (Wikipedia, 2013). Two open educational technologies that have
the potential to enhance adult learning include OER Commons and Open Culture
websites.
OER commons provide training and tools that assist teacher in designing
significant learning experiences for learners, thus enriching the teaching
learning experience of those involved. OER commons assist in the professional
development of teachers by providing training and design tools for instructors
which will hopefully have a positive spiral effect on the learners assigned to
those instructors. The site provides a wealth of resources for instructors which
are categorized based on subject areas, for instance Mathematics, Arts, Social
Studies and on material types for instance lesson plans, audio games and
lectures. I believe this site has the potential to enhance adult learning
because instructors of adult learners will be trained (from this site) and
equipped with materials to enhance and meet learners’ needs.
Openculture.com is a site that has over 700 universities listed, that
offers open education courses. The free online courses are categorized in
several subjects alongside the universities which offer them. Moreover, free
materials for learners are available in addition to free online language
lessons. Learners worldwide can get access to free education online courses (which
may not be offered at universities in their countries) which will serve to
enhance their knowledge and skills and make them more marketable. Learners all
over the world can enroll and start right away. Because courses are offered
online, learners can download the apps on their smartphones and are therefore
not confined to a computer or the library. Learning is affordable and enhances
the individuals’ overall well being. This open education technology has the
potential to enhance adult education because the world has become a global
village and having knowledge of concepts other than the “norm’ for instance
about your job, will assist those involved to be knowledgeable and therefore
can communicate intelligently with others globally.
REFERNCES
OER Commons (2013). Open
Educational Resources. Retrieved from www.oercommons.org
Open Culture (2013). The Best Free Cultural and Educational Media on the
Web. Retrieved from
Wikipedia (2013). Open Educatio
oercommons.org seems like a site I would like to check out. Since I teach so many different subjects, I am often teaching out of my area of expertise. I have experience doing so, but it does sometimes make me uncomfortable. oercommons.org looks as if it would have activities and material that would be applicable to the students that I teach. It's nice to have access to resources designed by other instructors.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Heather. This is the site to visit to assist with your various subject areas. The site offers lesson plans, design tools and games you can engage learners in. I plan to do further investigation re: this site. It sounds too good to be true. Lol
DeleteDefinitely Heather. This is the site to visit to assist with your various subject areas. The site offers lesson plans, design tools and games you can engage learners in. I plan to do further investigation re: this site. It sounds too good to be true. Lol
Delete