The European Commission has identified support for the production and adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) as a strategic priority, key to addressing the current need to rethink and develop education in a way that is compatible with societal wellbeing and development of the skills required in the 21st century. However, in spite of a clear case for framing OER as a contributor to innovation in education, the picture that emerges from recent research reveals several obstacles that need to be overcome for OER to have a substantial impact on education and society.

The ExplOERer project aimed to promote Open Education Resources (OER) sustainability through OER adoption and embeddedness in professional practice. The project capitalised on opportunities in cross-boundary contexts in which OER are part of innovation, and developed education practitioners’ digital and pedagogical skills regarding OER reuse and repurposing. Several types of learning contexts were addressed, including adult education, higher education and the workplace.

Key project outcomes

● Co-creation of guidelines for training of adult educators on OER reuse.
● Development of training materials and teacher training in OER reuse and digital skills through an Open Online Course.
● More dynamic OER infrastructures by means of embedding social networking and gaming mechanics in OER repositories.
● Stimulation and support for policy development regarding OER uptake through three multiplier events, online and face-to-face expert seminars resulting in policy recommendations.