Open Educational Resources (OER) are a powerful tool for educators and students alike. Not only do they provide free access to high-quality educational materials, but they also promote collaboration, innovation, and creativity in the classroom. In recent years, there has been an increase in research studies focused on the impact of OER on student learning outcomes and academic success.
One study conducted by Hilton III et al. (2016) analyzed 16 OER adoption projects across higher education institutions in the United States. The results showed that students who used OER had higher rates of course completion and better grades compared to those who did not use them. Additionally, faculty reported increased satisfaction with using open resources as opposed to traditional textbooks.
Another study conducted by Wiley et al. (2012) found that students who used OER had similar or better learning outcomes compared to those who used traditional textbooks. The researchers also noted that OER helped to reduce costs for both students and institutions.
In K-12 education settings, a study by Stacey et al. (2015) examined the impact of adopting OER on teacher practices and student achievement in British Columbia schools. The results showed that teachers felt more empowered to adapt their teaching methods based on student needs when using open resources rather than traditional materials. Students also reported feeling more engaged with the content when using digital resources.
A meta-analysis conducted by Jhangiani et al. (2018) reviewed 28 studies focused on the impact of OER adoption across various educational levels and subjects over a span of 15 years. The findings indicated that overall, students who used OER had similar or improved academic performance compared to those who did not use them.
In addition to improving academic outcomes, several studies have highlighted the social justice benefits associated with OER adoption in education settings where affordability is a major concern for underprivileged communities.
For instance, a study by Okoli & Wang (2020) examined the impact of OER on affordability, access, and equity in higher education settings. The findings showed that students who used open resources were more likely to persist through their degree program and graduate within a shorter time frame compared to those who relied on traditional materials.
Similarly, a study by Hilton III et al. (2019) found that OER adoption in community colleges was associated with significant cost savings for students from low-income backgrounds. These savings not only reduced financial barriers to accessing education but also increased opportunities for academic success.
Finally, several studies have highlighted the role of OER in promoting innovation and collaboration among educators. For example, a study by Marshall et al. (2020) analyzed the experiences of K-12 teachers who participated in an OER professional development program in Utah. The results indicated that educators felt empowered to create and share their own educational resources while also collaborating with colleagues across schools and districts.
In conclusion, research studies have shown that adopting Open Educational Resources is linked to improved student learning outcomes, enhanced teacher practices, reduced costs for both students and institutions, increased access to education for underprivileged communities as well as promoting innovation and collaboration among educators. As more institutions continue to adopt open resources into their curricula or teaching methods we can expect further research into its impact on learning outcomes along with innovative applications being developed around these tools for teaching methodologies or instructional design strategies.
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