International Journal of Open Educational Resources • Vol . 4 , No . 1 • Spring / Summer 2021
Neelam Bharti a , b ,* , Michelle Leonard a a ) Marston Science Library , University of Florida b ) Mellon Institute Library , Carnegie Mellon University
Abstract
Academic librarians have a unique opportunity to build high-impact collections to support an institution ’ s curriculum and research with the broad spectrum of OER and to be in a position to offer guidance on its availability , accessibility , and usability . To build a sustainable OER collection in any medium for STEM disciplines , librarians must first identify user needs in supporting curriculum and research through various collection management practices . For example , an assessment to demonstrate such needs can be conducted where students and faculty provide both qualitative and quantitative responses , which can guide the creation of an OER collection where user needs are considered using a just-intime approach . This paper attempts to look at the awareness , acceptance , and use of OER on the University of Florida campus Image : Courtesy of Jaredd Craig among STEM patrons and how libraries can facilitate to build and promote OERs . We conducted a usage and perception survey among the STEM faculty , researchers , and students for research and teaching . The results of the survey revealed that faculty and students acknowledge the importance of OER in both research / scholarly activities and instruction , but there is a big part of the faculty and student community that is unaware of OER content and its access . The majority of respondents do not know that the libraries offer OER collections through the UF library catalog . We suggested some strategies libraries can consider to support and promote the use of OER in the classroom and research and make it more easily accessible through various facets .
Keywords : Open educational resources ( OER ), perception , teaching , research
23 doi : 10.18278 / ijoer . 4.1.4