LAUSR

Abstract The study investigated open educational resources (OER) from the perspectives of higher education and society. Surveys were distributed to 50 teaching staff in 10 typical universities and 300 learners in Beijing, and interviews were conducted with a subset of 10 university teachers and 10 learners. Findings showed different views and understandings of OER. Specifically, university respondents viewed OER based mainly on its current status and the level of OER provided by their universities. In contrast, learners’ demand for OER was based mainly on their own practical needs. Key areas of difference between the two groups were related to the degree, categories, channels, orientation, and content of OER. Problems arising in the OER process should be analyzed and resolved based on human factors, clarifying available university resources and learners’ needs.