Publications 

Open Educational Resources (OER) – that is, teaching, learning and research materials that their owners make free to others to use, revise and share – offer a powerful means of expanding the reach and effectiveness of worldwide education. This book, initiated by the UNESCO/COL Chair in OER, is one in a series of publications by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) examining OER. It describes the movement in detail, providing readers with insight into OER’s significant benefits, its theory and practice, and its achievements and challenges. The 16 chapters, written by some of the leading international experts on the subject, are organised into four parts by theme: OER in Academia, OER in Practice, Diffusion of OER, Producing, Sharing and Using OER.

Open Educational Resources (OER) – that is, teaching, learning and research materials that their owners make free to others to use, revise and share – offer a powerful means of expanding the reach and effectiveness of worldwide education. This book, initiated by the UNESCO/COL Chair in OER, is one in a series of publications by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) examining OER. It describes the movement in detail, providing readers with insight into OER’s significant benefits, its theory and practice, and its achievements and challenges. The 16 chapters, written by some of the leading international experts on the subject, are organised into four parts by theme: OER in Academia, OER in Practice, Diffusion of OER, Producing, Sharing and Using OER.

A Newsletter of the Commonwealth Educational Media for Asia, April 2013

A Newsletter of the Commonwealth Educational Media for Asia, January 2013

COL newsletter, March 2013; includes: PCF7: Empowerment and transformation; Growing more ginger and turmeric in Sri Lanka, Preparing Jamaican farmers to face Hurricane Sandy; In Focus: COL’s leadership role in open educational resources; Women’s voices and women’s issues (community radio); Fair Comment: ODL and the capability approach; New Resources and EdTech News: Classroom without walls.

COL newsletter, March 2013; includes: PCF7: Empowerment and transformation; Growing more ginger and turmeric in Sri Lanka, Preparing Jamaican farmers to face Hurricane Sandy; In Focus: COL’s leadership role in open educational resources; Women’s voices and women’s issues (community radio); Fair Comment: ODL and the capability approach; New Resources and EdTech News: Classroom without walls.

The 25 contributors to this book bring an impressive level and breadth of expertise, innovation and dedication to researching, developing and advocating for OER. Through a combination of quantitative studies and qualitative analyses, they provide valuable, instructive information and insights from throughout Asia. Open Educational Resources: An Asian Perspective demonstrates that OER development is thriving in Asia — in different economies, amongst different types of stakeholders and with varied approaches to open licensing.

COL newsletter, November 2012; includes: OER for “Learning for Development”; Education Ministers commit to post-2015 discussions/commend COL; L3F initiative impacts household food security; In Focus: Tutors add the personal touch to distance learning; Fair Comment: Making sense of MOOCs; New Resources and EdTech News.

During 2000 to 2009, COL developed a programme known as Poverty Reduction Outcomes through Education, Innovations and Networks (COL-PROTEIN) to support initiatives that used ODL and information and communication technologies (ICT) to build capacities for community development in areas such as food security, environmental protection, women’s empowerment, microenterprise and good governance. This report provides a follow-up analysis of the experiences of COL-PROTEIN.

The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) serves as the regional unit of the Commonwealth of Learning. CEMCA promotes the meaningful, relevant and appropriate use of ICTs to serve the educational and training needs of Commonwealth member states of Asia.