Open Educational Resources

Source: http://iberry.com/cms/OER.htm OER (open educational resources) are teaching and learning materials available for everyone to use online and free. According to the article by Brown and Adler (2008), in this rapidly changing and flattening world, OER has increased the need for lifelong learning. OER provide opportunity for learners to have access to materials which they might have considered out of reach before. Nowadays people can easily access, read and use materials provided by various well known universities around the world. The same article states that one of the most essential impacts of the OER is the promotion of so called “social learning”. Social learning is described as a virtual place for different people to share their ideas and learn being engaged in social discussions and by interacting with many people. The main idea of the “social learning” is focused on how we are learning rather than on what we are learning. Many universities around the world, like Harvard law school (brown & Adler, 2008), are using second life to conduct classes, discussions, debates and lecture. Here even non students can take participation and learn. I find this really engaging and motivating. The fact that in Armenia you can be enrolled in Harvard school classes makes me feel connected, close and equal. Equal in the geographical sense, where you physical place does not matter. Even enrollment does not matter. The only thing that matters is the individual’s eagerness and willingness to learn…
 However, this great innovation is not widely spread so far. Armenians, like many other people around the world do not have the awareness of the possibilities and opportunities they have. And educational institutions as well still are not using OER to promote learning. According to the Danielyan and Alexandryan (2008), teachers should be responsible for promoting technologies and innovations in their classes, and the fact that in Armenian education OER is not that spread is partially because of the lack of willingness.
 The cultural factor here may have its role as well. Maybe we are still afraid of sharing and spreading. For centuries we have struggled for what we have and this sense of keeping and the fear of sharing has penetrated into the educational sphere as well. However education and knowledge should be spread. If we want to have a wealthy society and country we should make efforts. We should try to implement our knowledge not only for getting money but also contributing to the country’s development. And we should realize that by sharing and educating our society will result in our prosperity and growth as a country and nation.
 We had a very interesting conversation during our class which made me think about what we can do and what we do actually. The reality is that we don’t act according to our abilities… and the bad thing is that we like to blame others, saying that the leaders of the institutions may not approve our actions, moreover, we go beyond blaming the government. But how many of those “claimers” gave a try and failed. I think the answer is probably “none”. Surely it’s very difficult to change the perception of people on different areas, but one thing that I am sure in is that there is nothing impossible. We should give a try and then say that it didn’t and will not work in Armenia. Even one, two and three tries are not enough evidence for stating that it’s impossible. It’s just the degree of willingness and real desire to walk along the world using equal technologies and developments…
 We as teachers are the ones who should give a try and make efforts on changing our environment. If we raise the awareness and provide our students with up to date materials and resources, in the nearest future we will be positively surprised by our achievements. So my dear colleagues, let’s not waste time and act. Let’s believe in our abilities and strengths and use our potential to contribute in the development of our society! :)