Being asked this week to comment on the eight steps to OER integrating OER in teaching and learning and how they relate to the context of the OER I have begun to develop. The eight steps are as follows (and you will find my comments below each step):
1. Assess the validity and reliability of the OER.
The topic of the OER is Career Development. When viewing other OER I do look to confirm the reliability of it. Initially, while I am the sole developer I must make this judgment alone. Once other peers start reviewing and participating they too will be a part of validating resources. When viewing an OER from a repository that offers comments and ratings this can help in making the decision of whether or not I will incorporate the resource.
The integrity of information given to a job seekers is paramount. Often there is high levels of stress and a job seeker may jump at anything if it offers him or her a "lifeline". Even if the information is inaccurate or misleading.
2. Determine placement within the curriculum, if not already done.
While I possess the initial idea or outline for the OER this is likely to morph as soon as I can encourage other participants to collaborate in its ongoing development. When developing the OER I am not looking at incorporating it into an existing curriculum, let us say within a class room or online course setting. Rather, initially this will provide a resource for other self-directed learners and I am trying only to match resources to my own idea of how the OER could guide a learner through the Career Development process.
3. Check for license compatibility. (See License Incompatibility in Licensing for more details).
I have much to learn about the licensing process. A notable quote from the assigned reading, apparently there is a: "requirement that derivative works are released under exactly the same license as the source materials." Something I will undoubtedly do my best to keep in mind.
4. Eliminate extraneous content within the OER (assuming the license permits derivatives).
The OER I am developing is going to be more of a referatory than anything else. So I do not imagine I will need to go through this step. It is of course prudent to do this if you were merging content from another OER.
5. Identify areas of localization.
Most of this OER will be geared to the newcomer to Manitoba. Some of the resources may be used for learners with similar needs (Ex. those who were born in the province or those who have already lived here for some years). Others may adapt this OER to suit their purposes. For example they could simply retain the outline, and replace the links with that of local resources.
6. Remix with other educational materials, if applicable.
I assume that "remixing" could be interpreted in different ways. In the OER I intend to mix in other resources for the benefit of the viewer. Keeping in mind accessibility and quality I will also hope that mixed in resources still allow for uniformity of the OER.
7. Determine the logistics of using the OER within the lesson.
The OER will be accessible online. For my targeted learner this is a possibility. Even if someone new to the country does not own his or her own computer the local libraries provide this service for free (although for a limited time) as do most agencies that assist job seekers. With the initial development of the OER less thought will be given to making it accessible on mobiles but that is a topic for consideration as I observe that over 60% of this target group own smart phones.
8. Devise a method of evaluation or whether the currently planned evaluation needs adjustment.
My initial thoughts are that a poll or discussion board should be available for readers to give feedback on the use and relevance of the OER. This week the reading highlights the importance of getting the learner involved. Through participants (the viewer) getting involved in the content development, the OER will progress and this is my preferred method of feedback - learners adapting the resource to suit his or her own needs.
Hi Jonathan,
ReplyDeleteIt seems like these eight steps were a helpful way for you to think through your final project--and it sounds good! I, too, am developing something that will not be placed in a "course" per se, although I will be doing some training alongside it and will use some of the resources during the meetings. Other resources will be, as you say, more of a referatory.
I've been thinking about evaluation, too, and I like your idea about a discussion board. For my project I'm setting up a wiki in order to have some control over the logic and sequencing of materials. It would be pretty simple for me to create a discussion board in that space, I think. I had been thinking that the openness of a wiki would allow people to change things on their own, but I bet initially they won't do that. So a discussion board could be a way that their ideas and feedback are permanently a part of the OER.
Good luck to you! I look forward to seeing the results.
Best,
Leah