Unleashing power of Open Access: Revolutionizing education with OERs.

Byline: Abid Hussain

The Internet has brought tremendous revolutions in our daily lives. Gone are the days when people spent most of their time in libraries. There is a huge rise in Open Access and educational resources.

A question, however, arises in minds What is Open Access?

Open Access (OA) refers to making scholarly research and literature freely available on the Internet, allowing anyone to access and use it without barriers such as paywalls.

The goal is to increase access to knowledge and promote its dissemination and use for the public good. Open Access Resources (OER) in education refer to teaching, learning, and research materials that are freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute.

This includes textbooks, videos, tests, and other educational materials that can be used in a classroom or for self-directed learning. OERs aim to make education more accessible and affordable by reducing the cost of materials for students and teachers.

In the educational scenario, Open Education Resources (OERs) have undergone various benefits; some of the benefits are listed below.

(1) Cost savings: OERs can significantly reduce the cost of educational materials for students and schools, making education more accessible and affordable.

(2) Improved educational quality: OERs can be updated and improved by anyone, leading to a more dynamic and up-to-date educational experience.

(3) Flexibility: OERs can be adapted to the specific needs of a particular class or student, allowing for a more personalized learning experience.

(4) Increased access to educational materials: OERs can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection, regardless of location or financial means, helping to reduce the digital divide and promoting equal access to education.

(5) Collaboration: OERs encourage collaboration and sharing of educational materials, fostering a sense of community and promoting the exchange of ideas.

(6) Improved student outcomes: OERs have positively impacted student performance and engagement. In short, we may say that OERs have the potential to transform education and make it more accessible, flexible, and effective for everyone.

Numerous OERs are available on the Internet; some popular websites include:

(1) OpenStax: A nonprofit organization that provides peer-reviewed, open-source textbooks for college and high school courses

(2) Project Gutenberg: One of the oldest digital libraries, offering over 60,000 free eBooks.

(3) Khan Academy...