Chapter 11 in profile – Cultural-historical factors influencing OER adoption in Mongolia’s higher education sector

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This week we profile Chapter 11 of the ROER4D edited volume by Batbold Zagdragchaa and Henry Trotter. Titled “Cultural-historical factors influencing OER adoption in Mongolia’s higher education sector”, this chapter arises from research undertaken in ROER4D sub-project 8 and presents findings from the first ever empirical study on OER adoption in the Mongolian higher education sector. It addresses the question “Which cultural–historical factors shape OER activities in Mongolia’s higher education sector?” The study also sought to discover whether OER could progress from an externally-funded innovation to a mainstream practice by Mongolian educators.

Findings indicate that OER awareness and practice remains low despite promotion by government and funding agencies. OER engagement is largely limited to individual adopters, who, in contrast with many academics who often worry about the quality of OER, appear to be more concerned about a particular sub-component of quality, which is relevance. Mongolia has previously developed and supported large-scale educational-resource projects, especially at the basic education level, and it may need to take a similar proactive stance regarding OER in the higher education sector if it seeks to improve the quality, relevance and cost-effectiveness of teaching content.

Visit the sub-project web page to access more detail on the study, other outputs and a video interview with Lead Researcher Batbold Zagdragchaa.

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