Towards National Policy Guidelines on Open Educational Resources in Malaysia

Abstract

This report emphasises the importance of open educational resources (OER) for improving equality in education. OER are a worthwhile option to make education more accessible, affordable, shareable and reusable. The adoption, expansion and enculturation of OER with the aid of information and communication technology in Malaysian education will transform educational practices through the effective use of educational resources available with open licences.

Several higher education institutions in Malaysia have joined the OER movement. However, there is not yet widespread understanding about OER and open licences due to the lack of specific guidelines. In Malaysia, the National eLearning Policy (DePAN 2.0) focuses on open courseware, and it is important to develop specific guidelines for the same. With the support of the Commonwealth of Learning, the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia conducted this study and organised a national consultation to develop draft guidelines that may be adopted by the appropriate education ministries in Malaysia.