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SIIA Releases Guide on the Use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in K-12 and Postsecondary Education

SIIA Releases Guide on the Use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in K-12 and Postsecondary Education

Guide helps stakeholders determine the appropriate model for developing and implementing educational resources

Washington, D.C. (March 21, 2013) – The Software & Information Industry Association [1] (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital content industries, today released the “Guide on the Use of Open Educational Resources in K-12 and Postsecondary Education [2].” This Guide provides a framework for understanding open educational resources (OER), and it examines development and implementation costs, current business models, government and philanthropy’s role, and other considerations around the use of OER.

“SIIA expects that educational needs will be addressed moving forward by a mix of instructional materials, including OER,” said Karen Billings, vice president of SIIA’s Education Division. “SIIA and this Guide are focused on helping public officials, instructors and content providers better understand the various OER models, as well as the total costs to consider in determining the appropriate strategy for developing and implementing a particular educational resource.”

The Guide includes the following:

“SIIA recognizes that content development and delivery models will continue to evolve, and encourages an environment that fosters R&D investment, rewards innovation and quality, and thus provides students and faculty with a robust choice of curricular resources and related tools and supports,” said Mark Schneiderman, SIIA’s senior director of education policy. “In making cost-benefit calculations and comparisons, it is important that public leaders and educators consider that educational resources, including OER, require not only the initial investment, but as importantly must budget for the total, long-term cost of development and use.”

The Guide was developed under the direction of the SIIA OER working group. It was authored by independent consultants Sue Collins of CollinsConsults and Peter Levy of Learning in Motion. Their knowledge, perseverance, and commitment to excellence made this document possible. The Guide is available [2] to all under a CC-BY license and is especially crafted to inform legislators, government officials, education leaders, faculty, and content developers and aggregators.

About SIIA
SIIA is the leading association representing the software and digital content industries. SIIA represents approximately 700 member companies worldwide that develop software and digital information content. Information technology (IT) and software security are critical issues to SIIA’s members, many of whom strive to develop safe, secure and state-of the-art products that effectively serve their commercial and government customers alike, while protecting their intellectual property. The SIIA Education Division serves and represents more than 200 member companies that provide software, digital content and other technologies that address educational needs. The Division shapes and supports the industry by providing leadership, advocacy, business development opportunities and critical market information. For more information, visit www.siia.net/education [3].

Media Contacts
• Laura Greenback, SIIA Communications, 410-533-1943, lgreenback@siia.net [4]

• Saul Hafenbredl, C. Blohm & Associates, 608-216-7300 x25, saul@cblohm.com [5]