In July 2010, the Open Educational Quality (OPAL) Initiative launched a quantitative study on the use of Open Educational
Resources (OER) and Open Educational Practices (OEP) in Higher Education and Adult Learning institutions.
The soon to be published study report reveals five main barriers which individuals are faced with when they want to use OER:
- Lack of institutional support
- Lack of technological tools for sharing and adapting resources
- Lack of skills and time of users
- Lack of quality or suitability of OER
- Personal issues like lack of trust and time
With OER the old question seems to gain new relevance: If we build it, will they come? (ASTD/ Masie Center 2001)
Four of the five issues are related to a lack of supporting components such as organizational support, the lack of a culture of sharing within organizations, the lack of skills, quality, trust, or time and skills for adaption. One element only is related to the availability of technical tools for sharing and adapting resources. Not a single barrier relates to the question of accessibility and availability.
While the sample of this study might be subject to self-selection and probably attracted respondents supportive of OER, the results reveal an interesting array of barriers, which have not so far been addressed in research. Much greater efforts will have to be made in the future to understand the personal, organizational and environmental factors hindering or enabling creation, sharing, use and reuse of OER.
To preview the section of the report relating to barriers please click on the image below, or alternatively download the PDF file.
The OPAL Initiative is a partnership between seven organizations including ICDE, UNESCO and ICDE member institution, The Open
University, UK, and is part funded by the European Commission Education and Training Lifelong Learning Programme.
Open Educational Quality Initiative website
4 February 2011