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Which countries have the most widespread use of Open Educational Resources in their online education systems?

Sunny Treswell

Open Educational Resources (OER) are digital learning materials that are free and openly accessible to everyone. These resources are gaining popularity among educators as they offer cost-effective and flexible alternatives to traditional teaching methods. With the widespread adoption of online learning in recent years, OER has become an integral part of many national education systems around the globe.

When it comes to global leadership in the use of Open Educational Resources, a few countries stand out. Let's take a closer look at them.

Firstly, the United States has been one of the pioneers in promoting the use of OER. In 2015, the Department of Education launched the #GoOpen campaign, with the aim of encouraging states and districts to use openly licensed resources in their classrooms. Since then, many states have developed their OER policies, with California being one of the most notable examples. In 2018, California passed the first-ever state-level OER bill mandating that all state-funded educational materials and resources be openly licensed digital resources.

Another country that has made significant strides in OER adoption is Canada. In 2012, the federal government invested $15 million in the creation of eCampusOntario, a collaborative online platform that provides free access to high-quality OER. Furthermore, in 2019, the government pledged $1.2 million to fund the development of OER in Indigenous languages, recognizing the importance of promoting Indigenous knowledge and cultural diversity through accessible and inclusive education.

In Europe, the United Kingdom has been a strong advocate for OER since the early 2000s. In 2013, the government-funded the British Open University's OER initiative, which has since made over 20,000 resources freely available worldwide. Similarly, the Dutch government has been investing in OER through its national program on OER for over a decade. Its SURF program provides funding, training, and support for higher education institutions to develop and use OER.

In Asia, Taiwan has been leading the way in OER adoption, with its government taking a proactive stance in promoting OER since 2009. In 2015, the Taiwan Open Courseware Consortium was established, offering a collaborative platform for sharing open educational resources between universities in Taiwan. The country has also invested in the development of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and online learning platforms in recent years, highlighting its commitment to leveraging technology to enhance education.

Lastly, South Africa has been investing heavily in OER to address the high cost of education in the country. In 2013, the South African government announced the launch of the South African Institute for Distance Education, which aims to make quality accredited OER available to all students. In addition, the University of Cape Town has been at the forefront of OER development, with its OpenUCT initiative providing over 21,000 open educational resources in various subject areas.

In conclusion, while the use of OER in online education is gaining traction worldwide, these countries have stood out for their leadership, investment, and commitment to promoting accessible and high-quality education through open educational resources. Their pioneering efforts will undoubtedly inspire more countries to join the OER movement and contribute to the democratization of education.