Forms of innovation inspired by open educational resources: a post-project analysis. (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coughlan, Tim; Pitt, Rebecca; Farrow, Robert
• Is Part Of: Open learning. Volume 34:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 156
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: OER -- innovation -- impact -- qualitative -- open education; Distance education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 371.35
• DOI: 10.1080/02680513.2018.1552579
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-0513

Abstract

ABSTRACT: It has been argued that Open Educational Resources (OER) present opportunities for innovation in education. However, there has been a lack of retrospective analysis of the forms of innovation that can emerge through OER, and the processes and challenges these entail. This paper presents a post-project analysis of the diverse uses and impacts of open courses produced through an international OER initiative. A thematic analysis of retrospective interviews and documentation from this case study is reported on, guided by a review of relevant concepts from innovation and OER literature. Through this we identify three archetypal forms through which the OER created opportunities for innovation: Specific Adoption; Preferred Practise and Foundations for Innovation. We identify drivers and inhibitors through which these forms of innovation interacted with each other in this initiative. This elaborates on the notion that a single existing model does not capture the multi-faceted relationships between innovation and OER.