The information service OER (OERinfo)

The information service OER (OERinfo) is an online portal with a thematic focus which provides comprehensive information concerning OER to the public at large and specific target groups. The service is aimed at a high visibility of OER and at addressing new target groups. We aim to present the current state of knowledge to practitioners, collect information on best-practice examples and present the diversity of existing initiatives.

We provide information on current developments in OER for instance, presented in reports, interviews or videos. We moreover offer manuals on the practical use of OER and other formats, such as web talks. The information service analyses and documents current OER activities. Current developments in the OER community are continually tracked, and as best-practice examples are curated. workshops and presentations are offered to generate a broader audience.

Our transfer partners are responsible for the educational areas of school, higher education, adult education and vocational education and training. Partners have been commissioned to define potentials for OER in the respective areas of education – for example by analysing focus groups. We aim to address and integrate new types of audience via offering information and events. Transfer of OER as a topic is moreover conveyed to the areas by information modules at the OERinfo portal and via relevant publications.Our partners are FWU media institute of the federal states for OER at school, Learning Lab at the University of Duisburg-Essen for OER in higher education, Federal Institute of Vocational Education and Training BIBB for OER in vocational education and training, and German Institute for Adult Education DIE for OER in continuing education.

The OER information service uses its own networks and channels to support other actors in public relations activities and their OER-related projects. Expansion potentials of existing networks are identified to strengthen the effects of OER and their proponents. The OER map for Germany is another example for our networking activities. It is an excerpt from the OER World Map and serves to illustrate relations among OER actors, with the goal of data-based visualizing of the network of the OER community in Germany. The relevant pool of data is systematically being expanded.