In Search of OER’s Future and Edtech’s Missing Evidence at SXSW EDU - Jeffrey R. Young, et al, EdSurge

Monday marked day one of Open Education Week, and speakers at a panel used the opportunity to discuss the potential for open educational resources as an alternative to increasingly unaffordable textbooks—as well as the challenges and misconceptions that the open movement still faces. Panelists started by drawing attention to Austin Community College, where students are advised to budget at least $1,200—about a third of tuition costs—for textbooks. While OER was presented as one way to ease course material costs, other challenges remain, starting with understanding and awareness of what the term means. “‘Open’ is not the same thing as digital,” said Nicole Allen, director of open education at SPARC, an academic coalition that advocates for open sharing and resources. “And open doesn’t only mean ‘free.’” https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-03-05-in-search-of-oer-s-future-and-edtech-s-missing-evidence-at-sxsw-edu