Open access edtech could triple by 2021: Cengage Learning
Open education resources (OER) could become the primary digital learning resource in higher education, according to a survey of over 500 educators undertaken in America by Cengage Learning. The survey claims OER technology use is expected to triple from 4% to 12% by 2021. Science, technology, engineering and maths courses unsurprisingly yielded the highest use of OER technology, and more than 77% of faculty members who do not currently use OER systems expect to do so in the near future.

BOSTON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Open Educational Resources (OER) in higher education have the potential to triple in use as primary courseware over the next five years, from 4 percent to 12 percent, according to a survey of more than 500 faculty by Cengage Learning. In addition, the use of OER for supplemental learning materials may nearly quadruple in size, from 5 percent to 19 percent. These and other findings are available in a new report, Open Educational Resources (OER) and the Evolving Higher Education Landscape.

"Being able to afford a higher education—from tuition to living expenses and course materials—continues to be a challenge for many students. At Cengage, we are constantly working with faculty to create new, affordable learning options that are high quality and engaging. This includes integrating OER into a growing number of digital learning solutions, including our MindTap and Learning Objects platforms," said Cheryl Costantini, VP of Content Strategy, Cengage Learning.

Cengage interviewed industry experts and surveyed OER primary adopters, supplemental adopters and non-adopters. Overall, just 4% of the higher education respondents use OER as primary materials. The subjects of mathematics (13%) and computing (11%) had the highest usage, while English (2%) and psychology (1%) had the lowest, according to the survey. For supplemental materials, OER is used by 5% of the respondents overall: 18% in computing, 13% in mathematics, 8% in English and 4% in psychology.

Among faculty members who are not current users of OER, more than 77 percent said they either expected to use OER or would consider using OER.

To learn more about the findings, download the complete white paper here: http://assets.cengage.com/pdf/wp_oer-evolving-higher-ed-landscape.pdf

About Cengage Learning

Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, technology and services company for the higher education and K-12, professional, library and workforce training markets worldwide. The company provides superior content, personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that accelerate student engagement and transform the learning experience. Cengage Learning is headquartered in Boston, MA with an office hub in San Francisco, CA. Employees reside in nearly 40 countries with sales in more than 125 countries around the world. www.cengage.com.

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Susan Aspey

Cengage Learning

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SOURCE Cengage Learning

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