Lin (2019)
Contents
Source Details
Lin (2019) | |
Title: | Teaching and Learning Without a Textbook: Undergraduate Student Perceptions of Open Educational Resources |
Author(s): | Lin, H. |
Year: | 2019 |
Citation: | Lin, H. (2019) Teaching and Learning Without a Textbook: Undergraduate Student Perceptions of Open Educational Resources. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 20(3) |
Link(s): | Open Access |
Key Related Studies: | |
Discipline: | |
Linked by: |
About the Data | |
Data Description: | Data were obtained from 58 undergraduate students at a large American public university who participated in a course which embedded OER materials in e.g. tutorials, databases, documentaries etc. Participants then completed a reflective survey (with 79.3% response rate) and participated in focus groups (63% participation rate). |
Data Type: | Primary data |
Secondary Data Sources: | |
Data Collection Methods: | |
Data Analysis Methods: | |
Industry(ies): | |
Country(ies): | |
Cross Country Study?: | No |
Comparative Study?: | No |
Literature review?: | No |
Government or policy study?: | No |
Time Period(s) of Collection: | |
Funder(s): |
Abstract
“Given the upsurge of textbook costs, college students increasingly expect universities and instructors to offer alternatives to traditional textbooks. One textbook alternative is using open educational resources (OER). While OER unquestionably save students money, the question remains whether the adoption of OER (instructional materials) is aligned with open pedagogy (methods). This study investigated 46 undergraduate students’ perceptions of using only OER in an introductory course in a largeAmerican public university. As reported by study participants, advantages of usingOER include textbook cost savings, access to dynamic and plentiful OER materials, that OER enabling mobile learning, and that OER foster the development of self-directed skills and copyright guidelines. Challenges reported include lacking a tactile sense with OER, slow Internet connections, unclear instruction and guidance, and insufficient self-regulation skills. Course design and implementation considerations were discussed.”
Main Results of the Study
More than half of students (56.5% - 68.9%) reported that the inclusion of OER materials in their course encouraged them to consider copyright issues and the reliability of OER content on a day-to-day basis. This effectively improved copyright consciousness and improved students’ ability to select reliable and open sources of information by integrating e.g. fair use considerations into the everyday operation of the course.
The use of OER resources also improved cost-savings for students, mobile learning, and diversity of materials available. However, issues such as internet connectivity and an overwhelming breadth of sources (as opposed to a centralised textbook) were reported as challenges to an open learning environment.
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
Whilst the study does not make any explicit policy recommendations, it does suggest that a primarily OER based course may improve student education and navigation of copyright issues such as fair use.
Coverage of Study
Datasets
Sample size: | 58 |
Level of aggregation: | Students |
Period of material under study: | Unknown |