Perspectives on the Open Educational Resources

This study introduced the open educational resources (OER) aided learning in a computer aided classroom. The course materials included the OER, composed in English, and a textbook translated into Taiwan’s traditional Chinese. Furthermore, the OER improved students’ conceptual understanding of both language and professional knowledge. Finally, the conceptual color plate analysis was employed to evaluate the related factors among universities, students, and teachers. Based on the statistics of the previous OER studies, it is predictable that OER aided learning may be popular in the future. Besides, the library plays a very important role in life-long learning, and will be crucial in the future because advanced guides and indexing of digital contents and OER can give the self-learner a better tool for life-long learning.

REFERENCES:

• Anisetti, M., Bellandi, V., Colombo, A., Cremonini, M., Damiani, E., Frati, F., Hounsou, J.T., & Rebeccani, D. (2007). Learning computer networking on open paravirtual laboratories, IEEE Transactions on Education, 50(4), 302–311.
• Clarke, M. Butler, C. & Schmidt-Hansen, P. (2004). Quality assurance for distance learning: A case study at Brunel University, British Journal of Educational Technology, 35(1), 5–11.
• Course description of Signals and Systems. MIT OpenCourseWare. Retrieved from http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Electrical-Engineering-and-Computer-Science/6– 003Fall-2003/CourseHome/index.htm.
• Dettori, G.  & Persico D.  (2008). Detecting self-regulated learning in online communities by means of interaction analysis, IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 1(1), 11–19.
• Devitt, P. & Palmer, E. (1999). Computer-aided learning: An overvalued educational resource? Medical Education, 33, 136–139.
• Digest of Educational Statistics, National Center for Educational Statistics, USA (2003). Number of Full-time-equivalent Staff and Faculty, and Full-time-equivalent Staff and Faculty/Student Ratios in Degree-granting Institutions, by Control and Type of Institution and State or Jurisdiction: Fall 2003. Retrieved from http:// nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d05/tables/dt05225.asp.
• Downes, S. (2007). Models for sustainable open educational resources, Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge and Learning Objects, 3, 29–44.
• Foreman J. (2003). Next-generation: educational technology versus the lecture, Educause Review, 38(4), 12–16.
• Han, S. (2001). Creating systems for lifelong learning in Asia, Asia Pacific Education Review, 2(2), 85–95.
• Haykin, Van V. (2005). Signals and systems, New York: John Wiley and Sons.
• Jiusto, S. & DiBiasio D. (2006). Experimental learning environments: do they prepare our students to be self-directed, life-long learners? Journal of Engineering Education, 95(3), 195–204.
• Johnstone, S.M. (2005). Open educational resources serve the world, Educause Quarterly, 3, 15–18.
• Khelifi, A., Talib, M.A. Farouk, M. & Hamam H., (2009). Developing an initial open-source platform for the higher education sector—A case study: Alhosn University, IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 2(3), 239–248.
• Kärger, P., Olmedilla, D., Abel, F., Herder, E. & Siberski, W. (2008). What do you prefer? Using preferences to enhance learning technology, IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 1(1), 20–33.
• Lu, B.Y., Tung, M.L., Hung, J.C., Lin, Y.S., Huang, Y.H., Chung, C.H., Chien, Y.C. & Chang, K.M. (2004). Computation of a frequently used vocabulary documents to help students reading English technical textbooks in technical and vocational programmes, World Transactions on Engineering Technology and Education, 3(2), 211–216.
• Oppenheim A.V., & Willsky A.S. (1997). Signals and Systems, 2nd edition, Englewood Cliffs: Prectice Hall, 1997.
• Owston, R.D. (1997). The World Wide Web: A technology to enhance teaching and learning? Educational Researcher, 26(2), 27–33.
• Pomales-Carcía, C. & Liu, Y. (2007). Excellence in engineering education: views of undergraduate engineering students, Journal of Engineering Education, 96(3), 253–262.
• Schrum L. & Ohler J. (2005). Distance education at UAS: A case study, Journal of Distance Education, 20(1), 60–83.
• Tao, Y.H. & Yeh, C.R. (2008). Typology of teacher perception toward distance education issues-A study of college information department teachers in Taiwan, Computers and Education, 50(1), 23–36.
• Tung, M.L., Chiang T.C., & Lu, B.Y. (2011). Comparison of the number of searching results in website engineers between 2007 and 2009: Perspectives in language policy, The New Educational Review, 23, 127–139.