OER by Matt https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5 Open Educational Resources en-us 2017-09-09 20:37:23 UTC 2025-11-04 14:10:09 UTC hello@padlet.com OER Drinnin response georgedrinnin65 https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/188713826 I like the idea of using OER. I find it frustrating when you find an activity or great assessment, but the teacher that created it is charging you for the download. I like the free idea and that the resources are almost treated like a scientific paper with peer review. All the resources seemed to be held to a high standard and that is pretty comforting. Plus you are able to completely alter the lesson to fit your style or content level. 
I have used Khan academy quite a bit but I have found myself cutting the video short or getting snippets from it. Khan academy videos seem to go into a lot of detail that my freshman in biology don't necessarily need. I have done student academy videos where my students use whiteboards or play doh to show processes. The use of different videos like Crash Course are huge to bring content across to the students in another way than my voice. ]]> 2017-09-19 01:33:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/188713826 Godejohn - Response https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/189108956 I often use worksheets found online. They give a good cross section of available assessment methods. I have used Khan Academy before. I use it in addition to my lecture to give my students a different perspective and another exposure to the same material. It is a ready tool to be used and I have done so liberally. 
I seek value by having a specific idea of what I am looking for ahead of finding it. That way, I can seek out my own criteria and not settle for less than what I require.]]> 2017-09-19 21:30:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/189108956 Heckman response https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/189791867 To an extent, I have already used a lot of OER in my classes. Frequently, there is a specific topic in Spanish class where a really well-written lesson has already been posted online. For cultural topics, I also often use ideas from blog posts and lesson ideas shared online. Other more-experienced and more highly-qualified teachers have already tested and rewritten these lessons over a period of years, so I don't see the need to reinvent the wheel.

In my community of foreign language (FL) teachers, there are a variety of experienced teachers and reputable companies that publish OER on their websites. Generally, I only use OER from these sources or make a request for ideas in my online PLN. It has been rare that a resource recommended to me has turned out to be unreliable or lacking in quality. Most of my fellow FL teachers spend a considerable amount of their free time collaborating with other teachers, writing resources, testing these resources in the classroom, and writing reviews of them. I find these types of sources to be highly reputable.]]> 2017-09-21 15:12:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/189791867 Moore response https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190321547 I like using OER in my classroom. My school just had a recent budget cut so these free resources definitely put less strain on my bank account. I have used Khan Academy in my classroom and I also really like using Math Antics. The worksheets cost money but the videos are free. My fifth graders really like watching them. I also use study jams when I teach science and math as well. When I look for these sources I like to make sure they are engaging to my students, have the correct standard, and are don't go too over my students knowledge level. I also use free worksheets like common core sheets, worksheets work, and math drills. I check and make sure it is what they will need to know when assess and I do not settle. I cut and paste what I need to to make it work. I really like that aspect of OER sources. ]]> 2017-09-23 00:51:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190321547 Marmesh Response: momarmesh https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190457692 I think the beauty of OER is that it allows teachers to continue to learn. It benefits both rookie teachers and veteran teachers. Rookies can get ideas for structuring lessons, and get a jump start on preparations that are often time-consuming. Time is so limited in those first few teaching years, so a head start can go a long way! More seasoned teachers often have units and lessons streamlined, but can explore new ways to present that information to an ever-evolving audience. I appreciated that the video highlighted that OER allows users to “revise, reuse, remix, and redistribute.” For me, that’s the most important element of the process. Students want to feel like their teacher really knows the subject matter and put time into their lessons. The ability to customize shared material for your teaching needs is what makes it so brilliant.

In my work setting, we use Google Drive for everything. The collaborative element saves a lot of time reformatting and retyping. To determine the quality of OER, I think my strategy would be to compare it against lessons from years prior. The information will likely be similar, however the presentation may vary. If it is a new lesson that I have never taught before, I’d compare it to the standards that need to be targeted and consult with other teachers. ]]> 2017-09-23 19:11:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190457692 Christensen Response https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190494430 I like using OER in my classroom.  I didn't know that they were called OER until this module.  I have used Khan Academy in my classroom to help teach some math skills to my students.  I do find Khan Academy videos to be to much detail which sometimes throws off my students.  Another one I used quite a bit is Study Jams.  Scholastic has made these videos for science and math.  The videos are short and entertaining.  The students enjoy watching them in class. Also, I use YouTube videos to help introduce a topic.  It is hard to find good videos on YouTube that is appropriate for your students.  Lastly,  I use worksheets that I can find for free online.  Sometimes it is hard to find a worksheet covering exactly what I want, but I can build off of another teachers to create one. I will continue with implementing OER into my teaching to help enhance my lessons. ]]> 2017-09-24 01:51:52 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190494430 Jeanneret Response https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190614045 I've been using OER in my classroom for a few years now, but didn't realize that's what it was called. At my school, my coteacher and I pretty much create our own curriculum. I'm a pre-k teacher at a private school. The elementary classes have a curriculum to follow, but the preschool rooms do not. We are given a list of standards and skills that our students should be able to meet by the end of the year, but it is up to us to create the lessons to help teach those skills. We use a few worksheets that we have found for free online to help our students practice writing their letters and numbers. We also have worksheets to help with letter and sound recognition and number sense. Sometimes we'll find other free resources that go along with a story, theme, or other skill that we're working. These resources range from videos, to games, to other printables that we use for various activities. If we're ever concerned that it's not a good resource or not the best quality, we look over the standards we are supposed to be meeting and or ask our principal  how he feels about the resource.]]> 2017-09-24 20:06:49 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190614045 Rivkah's Response https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190619062 I had never heard of OER before, but from what I understand, it seems to be a great idea, and a wonderful way for teachers to share resources without an added cost. When I say "from what I understand", I basically mean that this was a good amount of reading, and I don't know how much I fully comprehended. This may be the kind of topic I need to learn about during a verbal, class, discussion. The aspect of OER I appreciate are the free videos. Sometimes finding applicable videos on Youtube can be difficult and frustrating, and I think this is very helpful. I haven't found many Open Educational Recourses for art teachers yet, but I'm still looking.]]> 2017-09-24 20:37:07 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190619062 Rachel Barry's Response https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190810067 I have never heard the term OER before, but I have been using it in my classroom for about the past five years. I have created somewhat of a flipped classroom for my students which has been very beneficial for me especially when I have students that miss class for various reasons. It does take time to find free resources, but there are so many out there that are so great. I used common sense media for a lot of my lessons on internet safety. I also have found a lot of great coding websites to help introduce coding to my students. I think you can tell the quality of the lesson by just taking time to read through it. I have noticed some information is not always accurate and you have to make changes to it so it fits your teaching style and your teaching objective. ]]> 2017-09-25 13:34:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190810067 Amber McKay's Response https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190872895 I already use many OERs, I just never knew they were called that. I use PhET Simulations quite frequently and love the short videos on youtube to introduce topics. I am going to use the video OERs we used this module to create a discussion and worksheet to go along with Before The Flood by Leonardo DiCaprio. This will be a great way for students to pause and write down their thoughts and what they learned without having to wait until the end of wait or be interrupted by other students and never get the chance to share their ideas. When I read thought the article on evaluating OERs, I felt I looked for many of the same components. I usually try it all myself and at least have one of my class try it before I decide to use or trash it. My students tend to be very honest when they feel something was beneficial or a waste of their time. This fits perfectly into my teaching style and my population of students. ]]> 2017-09-25 15:18:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/190872895 Chris Olsen colsen10 https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/191050992 I also have been using OERs for many years before learning that there was a name for them. In my science classes we have moved to free online textbooks through ck12.org and videos from Khan academy and others. We also have no textbook for our technology class so I have spent a lot of time looking for OERs. Readings, simulations, interactives, and assessments from OERs are all essential parts of my teaching. I love that I can tweak and customize so many things, from lesson order to questions to tools available in simulations and many other options.
I have found, however, that I do need to be diligent in assessing the quality, validity, and usefulness of OERs. In my experience the free online textbooks tend to have more mistakes than traditional texts, especially in the assessments. I also preview videos, simulations, and interactives to ensure that they align with the specific concept I am teaching and have valuable content as sometimes titles are misleading.]]> 2017-09-25 22:24:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/191050992 Dan Evans https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/191071379 I had never heard of the term OER before this module. I had be utilizing this resource in my classroom without realizing their name/category. In the science classroom, I frequently use resources from Khan academy and other website of the sort. It is so valuable to have alternate ways to explain material with slightly different nuances. It may take time to integrate OER resources into every lesson due to the wide expanse, but I have been slowly adding more resources each year I teach the subject. The quality can be determined through examination and integration into actual lessons.

]]> 2017-09-26 01:31:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/191071379 Abby Fong https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/191076034 I didn't know what OER was before this module. When I saw the quick synopsis, I immediately thought of Teachers Pay Teachers, where educators are able to share lessons and resources. However, I was pleasantly surprised to learn OER's are free. 
First graders are such an anomaly and straying from the curricula is so discouraged that I'm not entirely sure how I will implement OER, but I am pleased to know more about it. I investigated Khan Academy and I liked many of the pieces in place with that, so that could be something I use down the road potentially. I like things that are adaptive and grow and remediate with the user!
From what I've learned about OERs, finding one from a reputable source, are standards-based, or are research-backed make it high quality. However, sometimes professional judgment is needed to determine whether or not it will be appropriate for your learners. (i.e. something that worked swimmingly one year doesn't work at all the next).]]> 2017-09-26 02:08:08 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/191076034 Vaneese Morris https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/191085421 Like many others, the term Open Education Resources was new to me although I have used many OERs. Most recently, I used Khan Academy for studying for the GRE and for math help for my daughter. In elearning design, OERs can be used in many ways. Designers can build a library of useful, expertly curated content that provides ongoing training for the learner. Since many OERs have unrestricted licenses, designers can pick and choose what to take from the content and what is not needed or modify the content better aligned with course objectives. Assessing OERs can be difficult and tedious since, by design, they include a great deal of information from various sources. One way to determine quality in OERs is to implement an annual review process where OERs are reviewed based on the standards set forth district or company. ]]> 2017-09-26 03:23:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/191085421 Megan Poppen https://padlet.com/mkutscher3/6j1b3s254xp5/wish/193233364
1. How will you implement OER into your teaching setting?
I love using online textbooks and supplemental readings for my classroom - so I will continue using those. But I cannot wait to try some of the online labs for my science class. I was recently moved to another wing in our building and placed nowhere near our science closet and now getting lab materials is a pain if I forget something. I have started trying to change things and implement more digital labs. Looking at some of the sites that are linked, I have to decided to try some of the labs already created.
2. How can you tell the quality of OER?
Looking into OERs, I think it is important to consider the source of the resource, but also look and see if it is standards-based. As I go through them, I like to see if the material I am covering in my classroom is appropriately taught - for example, I use a virtual density lab and it uses the term "weight" instead of mass and I have to correct it to my students. But since the concept is correct, I continue to use it.
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