Open Educational Resources defined

Open Educational Resources (OER) are understood to comprise content for teaching and learning, software-based tools and services, and licenses that allow for open development and re-use of content, tools and services. (Geser, 2007)  Sites such as YouTube and Wikipedia are excellent examples of OER, where ideas, theories and projects can be presented, evaluated, and debated. Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr also serve as important information sharing mediums that can capitalize on the mass proliferation of technology devices such as computers, laptops, smart phones, and tablets.

Open e-Learning Content Observatory Services (OLCOS) prepared a strategic roadmap funded by the European Commission in 2007. When looking to the future, there were six important stakeholders in the process:

·      Educational policy makers and funding bodies

·      Boards, directors, and supervisors of educational institutions

·      Teachers

·      Students

·      Educational repositories

·      Developers and implementers of e-learning tools and environments (OLCOS)

Each of these has its own unique challenges related to changing from the status quo.  These include proper business modeling for developers, quality control issues regarding the content of the material in repositories, and defining the dynamic expected between the learner and teacher.