Open Educational Resources in the disciplines: a joint conference

A joint Academy Subject Strand conference in October 2010 brought together colleagues from throughout the UK to discuss the key challenges facing open educational resources (OER) in the discipline context, and its long-term sustainability within the higher education sector. The aim of the conference was to provide feedback and encourage discussion on the lessons and strategies developed for discovering, developing, enhancing and converting educational resources into open educational resources.

Presentations relating to the Simshare project

Speaker biographies are available to download.

Using transactional learning to teach building contract management and administration

Andrew Agapiou (University of Strathclyde)

Simulation OER Workshop

Karen Barton (University of Strathclyde)

Using an OER simulation as an example, this session looked at how the simulation was constructed and discussed other issues that need to be considered such as:

• fit with curriculum
• assessment
• additional learning resources (e.g. FAQs, forum, flow charts, lectures, surgeries etc.)
• staffing.

It also explored the concept of open field and closed field simulations and discussed the consequences of taking one or other approach in the design of the simulation itself.

Download the handout from the workshop.

Simulations from the University of Glamorgan – how we made use of OER resources

Karen Counsell (University of Glamorgan)

The session examined the experiences of the Law School, University of Glamorgan in re-purposing simulations. The session examined how we went about re-using a post graduate simulation from another institution for use with first year undergraduates and then how we learnt from this experience to progress to using similar simulations which were adapted in-house to suit various cohorts. The speaker then went on to consider how difficult it was and offered an overview regarding the use we believe that others can make from simulations as OER.

Simulations and OER

Paul Maharg (University of Northumbria)

In this overview Professor Maharg analysed the case for simulation resources as OER, and the extent to which a simulation resource bank can be interdisciplinary. He described briefly the Simshare project and site, giving two OER examples and examining their viability as simulation resources, and summarised some of the key issues facing Simshare in the next year.

Negotiation-based learning: Objectives, strategies and challenges

Simon Usherwood (University of Surrey)

The presentation explored the potential for simulations to form the basis for negotiation-based learning, where substantive knowledge learning and practical skills development can be combined. The flexibility of this approach was considered, in both structure and application, as were some of the potential drawbacks than can be encountered. The provision of such spaces requires a willingness to relinquish some control over the learning environment, but with the potential to create a more enriching, engaging and enhancing experience for participants.

Last Modified: 3 March 2011