This report presents the findings of a study commissioned by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and conducted by the National Union of Students (NUS)/NUS Services. It comprises a quantitative and qualitative exploration of HE students’ views on current learning methods and the use of OERs in educational practice.
The specific OER issues investigated include:
- students’ overall attitudes towards OERs;
- existing usage and awareness of OERs;
- the range of circumstances in which OERs were used;
- preferences around OER delivery and the drivers of those preferences;
- aspirations for the future use of OERs.
Students’ views were gathered using two methods:
- a quantitative online survey of traditional and non-traditional students and
- face-to-face focus groups with traditional students.
This mixed method approach allowed students from a variety of courses institution types and levels of study to participate in the study and provided greater breadth and depth in the views sought.
The study found that the majority of all types of students were positive about many aspects of OERs and some were already making extensive use of a wide range of resources not only within their course but when selecting an institution to attend.
More than half of students expect OERs to play an increasingly important role in their learning experience in the future. However the findings also point to a need for more clarity and reassurance for students about the role that OERs will play in learning in the future as well as more practical support in their discovery and use.
