http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Wed, 22 May 2013 15:44:11 PDT Wed, 22 May 2013 15:44:11 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=760209 In the last decade in particular, the promotion, sharing and use of open educational resources (OER) have been growing exponentially. However, as with any new phenomenon or paradigm, our knowledge of OER’s ramifications and achievements to date necessarily lags behind actual developments.The concept of OER has multifaceted dimensions and implications. For educational institutions, the dimensions are legal, managerial, financial, technical, technological and pedagogical; for practising educators, at stake are ways of teaching that are normative, together with a sense of identity that is both personal and professional. It would be astonishing if research, which by its very nature must be clearly focussed, were able to keep abreast of all such aspects of OER.Although OER activities are taking place globally, most large and well funded projects have been in North America and Europe. As a result, little is known about important questions such as how the more acute levels of resource constraint typical of developing countries impact on demand for OER and on their reuse. The case studies and reflections in this book cover OER practice and policy in a diverse range of contexts, with a strong focus on events in developing countries. However, the focus on experiences from the developing world is not exclusive, as valuable “generic lessons” applicable also to developing countries can be drawn from research in the more developed countries.The world in which the academy and higher education operate has transformed dramatically. How do institutions, in both developed and developing countries, reposition themselves meaningfully within the new information-rich world in which information is accessible as never before? How can organisations such as UNESCO and the Commonwealth of Learning foster governmental support for OER internationally? How might proponents of OER garner greater governmental, institutional and educator “buy-in” to the principles of open educational practices, and to the policies and programs necessary to realise and sustain OER? http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=760201 This book, initiated by the UNESCO/COL Chair in OER, is one in a series of publications by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) examining OER. It describes the movement in detail, providing readers with insight into OER’s significant benefits, its theory and practice, and its achievements and challenges. The 16 chapters, written by some of the leading international experts on the subject, are organised into four parts by theme:OER in Academia – describes how OER are widening the international community of scholars, following MIT’s lead in sharing its resources and looking to the model set by the OpenCourseWare ConsortiumOER in Practice – presents case studies and descriptions of OER initiatives underway on three continentsDiffusion of OER – discusses various approaches to releasing and “opening” content, from building communities of users that support lifelong learning to harnessing new mobile technologies that enhance OER access on the InternetProducing, Sharing and Using OER – examines the pedagogical, organisational, personal and technical issues that producing organisations and institutions need to address in designing, sharing and using OER http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=760240 Higher education has experienced phenomenal growth in all parts of Asia over the last two decades — from the Korean peninsula in the east to the western borders of Central Asia. This expansion, coupled with a diversity of delivery and technology options, has meant that more and more young Asians are experiencing tertiary education within their own countries. In South, South East and Far East Asia especially, universities, polytechnics, colleges and training institutes with a variety of forms, structures, academic programmes and funding provisions have been on an almost linear upward progression.Notwithstanding this massive expansion, equitable access is still a challenge for Asian countries. There is also concern that expansion will erode quality. The use of digital resources is seen as one way of addressing the dual challenges of quality and equity. Open educational resources (OER), free of licensing encumbrances, hold the promise of equitable access to knowledge and learning. However, the full potential of OER is only realisable with greater knowledge about OER, skills to effectively use them and policy provisions to support their establishment in Asian higher education.This book, the result of an OER Asia research project hosted and implemented by the Wawasan Open University in Malaysia, with support from Canada’s International Development Research Centre, brings together ten country reports and ten case studies on OER in the Asian region that highlight typical situations in each context. China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam all receive extensive treatment, as do the multi-regional initiatives of the Virtual Academy for the Semi-Arid Tropics.While interest in and the production, distribution and use of OER are still very much in the early stages of development in most parts of Asia, OER’s potential value to improve the quality of curriculum, content and instruction, facilitate academic collaboration and enhance equitable access to knowledge resources cannot be overstated. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=755602 This is a free downloadable book that tells about amazing uses of mobile devices for learning. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=754387 This is a free textbook from Book Boon.'Career Secrets Exposed has been written to provide a number of useful tips on managing your career. On average, based on a 40 hour week, we spend close to 2000 hours a year at work! This is a huge amount of time and you need to be sure that you are getting the most out of your job in terms of satisfaction, money and a balanced lifestyle. Alternatively, if you’re not happy with your job, then it’s time to start looking for alternative solutions. Career Secrets Exposed is the 3rd eBook in the series written by Gavin Redelman, which follows up from his highly successful first 2 eBooks - “Interview Secrets Exposed” and “Resume Secrets Exposed”.' http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=754389 This is a free textbook from Bookboon.'Having the right tools when starting to job search is an essential part of the process. “Essential job searching tools” will give you a head start and a competitive edge over others. Finding a job today is a significant challenge for all of us, no matter what age we are or which industrial sector we wish our career to follow.A range of detailed hints and tips, real life examples and self analysis exercises will point you in the right direction, kick start your approach and give you extra confidence along the way.The book covers the way to establish values, maximise your CV, prepare for interviews, the job offer and what follows next.Download the book now and realise how essential these job searching tools are.' http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=754248 How do you find scholarly journals to support college presentations and papers? What are scholarly journals? Are there reasons for students to use the campus library – in addition to “Googling it?” These are a few of the questions answered in RS 101. Written by an academic librarian, RS 101 is meant for current and future college students - and anyone wanting to brush up on researching skills.Professors may consider recommending RS 101 as a supplemental text to students to be sure they're ready when it comes time to find the authoritative information needed for their assignments.Author Ellen Metter is a research librarian on the Auraria campus, home to three schools of higher education: University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the Community College of Denver. Metter's previous books include Facts in a Flash from Writer's Digest Books. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=743611 This is a free textbook by BookBoon http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=737833 This is a free online textbook offered by BookBoon.'The Ultimate Student & Graduate Job Handbook is designed for the current college student or recent graduate about to enter the workforce. We understand how daunting this time can be and the pressure associated with finding the right job. Competition for graduate employment is getting tougher each year and the application process is making it harder for a college graduate to get a foot in the door. In fact, major studies from the US, Australia and the UK suggest that graduates now face extremely tougher job markets and economic forecasts than graduates from the previous decade.The aim of this eBook is to help you with the transitional period from college student to job seeker. We look at the many major issues that college students will go through, and we seek to provide answers based on our experiences. In this eBook you will find information on job searching tips, resume writing advice, using college resources to your advantage, the power of networking and using social media to your advantage.Once college is finished, real life begins – make sure that you are one step ahead of your competition!' http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=731953 This is a free book from BookBoon.'Whether you are just starting out on your career or are in employment, your job searching must have one tool before that journey starts and that is a professional CV.Your CV needs a creative and meaningful profile, clearly identifying your achievements and what you have to offer a potential employer through your personal skills and abilities.This book goes through a structured approach of how to tackle each key stage in order to bring your CV together, by carrying out a number of self analysis exercises.The benefits include, increased confidence, self esteem and the belief that you will find the job you are looking for.Download the book now and increase your opportunities of securing that all important job.'