Role of Open Educational Resources in European Library Science Education During and After COVID-19

What is it about?

The paper analyzes the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in five European Library and Information Science (LIS) higher education institutions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores how OER were used, created, and perceived by faculty and students, highlighting barriers, advantages, and lessons learned. The study calls for greater institutional support and awareness to improve OER adoption.

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Photo by Leyre Labarga on Unsplash

Photo by Leyre Labarga on Unsplash

Why is it important?

It sheds light on the role of Open Educational Resources (OER) in higher education, particularly in Library and Information Science (LIS), a field closely tied to information access and digital education. It highlights barriers to OER adoption, such as lack of awareness, institutional support, and language limitations, which hinder their full potential. By analyzing faculty and student experiences across five European institutions, the study provides insights into improving OER use beyond crisis situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. As universities increasingly shift towards digital learning and open access, understanding how OER can be better integrated, supported, and optimized is crucial. This research emphasizes the need for policies, training, and collaboration to foster OER adoption, benefiting students, educators, and institutions by making education more accessible, equitable, and adaptable in the long term.