Sustainable OER Provision“all that glisters is not gold”

Bob StrunzNDLR

A Recipe for Success?

Some TermsNDLR – National Digital Learning Resource

serviceHEA – Higher Education Authority

(Equivalent to HEFCE, HEFCW or SFC)7 Universities and 14 IOT’s (21 Partners)

IOT – Institute of TechnologyIOTI – Institutes of Technology in IrelandIUA – Irish University AssociationNo Equivalent to JISC

A Messy Business …“…many accounts, fail to capture the messy realities of influence, pressure, dogma, expediency, conflict, compromise, intransigence, resistance, error, opposition and pragmatism in the policy process …

… It is easy to be simple, neat and superficial and to gloss over these awkward realities. It is difficult to retain messiness and complexity and still be penetrating.”

Stephen Ball (1990) Politics and Policy-making in Education

Time Spent

Quality

Good Enough

Time Enough

Sustainability Sustaining a National Service

What is meant by sustainability?What does sustainable mean to the NDLR?Is the NDLR model a sustainable one?Is there a simple formula for sustainability?

What do I mean by Sustainability?• The capacity to endure

• Whilst still remaining relevant and excellent• The capacity to withstand shocks

• Whilst still retaining stakeholder engagement• And without destroying what we want to

protect

Sustainability Values• We place a high value on

• Foundations• Engagement• Adaptability

• Review and Renew• Independent Oversight

Foundations Relevance & Sense of PlaceCan we take a shock, or does it kill us?

Die of old age Remain relevant Know “our place” in the educational ecosystem

Why are we providing a service?PragmatismSubversionAltruism

What MakesA Great NDLR?

LNDLR

Key Attributes

Intangibles

Metrics

Access& Linkages

Uses& ActivitiesSociability

Comfort & Image

Diversity Social Networks Volunteers 24/7 Usage

National Resource Quality Leadership Sharing

Bandwidth Hits Traffic Readability

Crime Quality AvailabilityCredibility

Friendly

Interactive

Welcoming

Helpful

Fun

Unique

Special

Useful

IndigenousInclusive

Sustainable

Useable

Accessible

Close By

Interoperable

Connected

Safe

Clean

Green

Attractive

Challenging

Provocative

Foundations Organisational ValuesCan we take a shock, how do we react?

Depends on our agreed values“Attacks” on the Organisation

Internal tensionsExternal pressuresConsensus, Democracy, PlanningShifts in technology

Foundations TechnologyTrigger

Inflated ExpectationsDisillusionmentEnlightenmentProductivity

Balance BetweenEarly AdoptionLate Adoption

Technology Agnostic

Gartner ‘Hype Cycle’

Inflated Expectations

Disillusionment

Technology Trigger

Enlightenment

Productivity

Engagement StakeholdersCitizens

Open AccessUniversities, IOT’s

Not a zero-sum-gameFunding Body

LIPS , LINCSTransparency and Trust

Our StaffYoung at heart

“I’m not just a

post box”

Engagement Content Providers & ConsumersAcademic Staff

SMART CopSInstitutional Representatives

Repository Colleagues and Technology PartnersThe Repository CommunityThe Technology Community

Engagement Learners IHow will learners use OERS in the future? More Sophisticated Search Tools Peer-Supported Networks

Informal Ephemeral Cross-Institutional International Multi-Lingual Multi-Disciplinary Multi-Aged

Engagement Learners II

Adaptability StakeholdersWe adapt to stakeholder needs

Review and RenewLight Touch Engagement

Stakeholders adapt their needs to usShift to Openness and CCReputation is everything

Adaptability TechnologyTechnology

A Cornerstone or a Stumbling BlockOpen Source but we use a Technology PartnerSystematic deployment of new technology

Managing ExpectationsI really hate this term !We like to have something new and interesting

to show

Adaptability Technology IIStandards Compliance

More than just interoperabilityRigorous peer-review of technology

Code SharingTechnical Discourse

Sense of placeGood technology is often invisible

A Recipe for Success ?

All that is gold does not glitter,Not all those who wander are lost;The old that is strong does not wither,Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

Jrr Tolkien, Lord of the Rings

ConclusionsAll that is Gold does not glitter

Simplicity is a great virtueNot all those who wander are lost

Sustainability is not straightforward The old that is strong does not wither

Know your strengths, review and renewDeep roots are not touched by the frost

Establish and maintain your foundations