Interesting post from longtime Open Educational Resources scholar David Wiley on what’s he’s learing about the theoretical benefits of OER and the empirical research that supports those theories:

I’m continuing to learn an incredible amount as I work with Lumen Learning, supporting institutions as they go through the process of replacing traditional textbooks with Open Educational Resources (OER), and as I simultaneously continue my work with the Open Education Group conducting empirical research on the effects of OER adoption by faculty. While I’m learning many things down “in the weeds” of implementation, at a higher level I’m understanding more deeply and appreciating more thoroughly how the adoption of OER in place of traditionally copyrighted educational materials is literally better for everyone involved. Adopting OER in place of traditional textbooks truly is:

Better for Students
Better for Faculty
Better for Institutions
Better for Society

Here’s a sample of what I’m learning together with these marvelous teams of people.

For those interested in understanding more about OER and what their adoption would mean for our educational system, the whole thing is worth reading.