HEFCE funded JISC/Academy OER Programme

Widely available learning content, and informational content, is fundamentally changing the relationship between students and their institutions as sources of expertise. This presents a challenge to existing models of the production of academic knowledge and the role of the institution in supporting student learning. Coupled to this, HE funding models are changing in response economic pressures, many institutions are re-examining their own business models in response to this.

The objectives for HEFCE in investing in this area through the JISC and the Academy are to promote the sharing and reuse of learning resources, and to provide a reputational benefit to UK higher education through the promotion of high quality learning resources worldwide.

There is an expectation that we will see benefits to the institutions involved and the UK HE sector as a whole in terms of overseas recruitment and academic reputation as a result of the work undertakenby this programme.

Pilot Programme: OER Release

OER phase 2

Between August 2010 and August 2011, the Academy and JISC intend to fund projects and activities that:

•  Extend the range of materials that are available openly
•  Investigate further the benefits offered by OER to all those involved in the learning process
•  Enhance the discoverability and reuse of materials 

The circular is available at http://www.jisc.ac.uk/fundingopportunities/funding_calls/2010/06/grant0610.aspx