A newly released report by SPARC Europe sheds light on the current landscape of Open Education (OE) and Open Educational Resources (OER) within European higher education institutions as of 2023. Conducted in collaboration with the European Network of Open Education Librarians (ENOEL), the report draws insights from a comprehensive survey spanning November 2023 to January 2024. This marks the fourth iteration of such surveys conducted by SPARC Europe, demonstrating a commitment to monitoring the evolution of OE and OER in European academia.
The report delves into the roles, hurdles, and advantages associated with OE and OER. Notably, it underscores the pivotal role of libraries in driving these initiatives forward, despite encountering obstacles such as resource limitations and institutional resistance.
Collaboration emerges as a key catalyst for the adoption of OE and OER, manifesting through both national and international networks and intra-institutional endeavors.
Reflecting on the progress of OE and OER integration, the report emphasizes the necessity of dedicated resources and community involvement for further advancement.
In light of these findings, the report advocates for heightened awareness and visibility of OE and OER among university leadership and staff to surmount cultural barriers and resistance. It also recommends dialogue between institutions at various stages of development and across different networks advocating for OE. Moreover, it underscores the ample room for innovation and experimentation in incentivization, recognition, and reward mechanisms, building upon existing best practices.
More: https://sparceurope.org/understanding-the-current-state-of-play-in-open-education-in-europe/
