Case Study of Publishing and Using Open Courseware: Perspectives of Instructors, Students, and an Evaluation Group

Abstract

Knowledge can be more meaningful when it is shaped and personalized through interaction with others. Implementation of open learning environments such as open courseware or shared knowledge communities has gradually become more common. A case study which investigated instructors’ experiences and perceptions of publishing and using open courseware in the classroom was conducted at a university in Korea. Responses from participating students and an evaluation group regarding how they perceived open learning environments were also examined. Based on the inductive analysis of the data, this study discusses advantages and challenges of publishing open courseware and collaborative learning environments. Also, practical guidelines for developing reusable learning materials are suggested.