The purpose of this toolkit is to help users to identify some of the policy implications of a decision to harness Open Education Resources (OERs). It is designed to help users to review their own institutional policy environment and where necessary institute policy changes that will facilitate collaboration and the development and sharing of OERs.
This toolkit examines key critical issues that need to be addressed using actual and modified examples. The toolkit space also provides a platform for interaction between individuals and institutions in identifying policy challenges and finding appropriate solutions through an engagement with a community of practice.
The primary target audience for this space is academics at African universities who have the responsibility to develop institutional or faculty policy frameworks to facilitate development and sharing of OERs. However, the toolkit will also be of interest to African government representatives, potential OER Africa partners, researchers interested in OERs in Africa, and general interest users.
By providing a short synopsis of the key issues, this space helps users to gain a quick overview of the policy implications of OERs. The interactive element of the space then provides for discussion and problem-solving around particular challenges that have or may arise.
Why do we need policy?
What are the main policy issues?
Reviewing vision and mission
Reviewing IPR and copyright policy issues
Reviewing human resource and IT policy issues
Reviewing learning resource development issues
OER and distance education – some policy issues
Key websites