Student teachers’ experiences in using open education resource in the open distance learning context

Abstract

Open education resource (OER) has become an increasingly important topic for consideration in the open distance learning (ODL) context. ODL students’ education should be learner-centered based on intrinsic motivation and OER usage. The purpose of this study was to explore the student teachers’ experiences in using open education resource in ODL. Even though many studies have been conducted on OER in ODL, there are insufficient empirical studies that have explored environmental education (EE) student teachers’ experiences in using OER in the ODL environment. In exploring this topic, the qualitative research methodology, interpretive paradigm, and rhizomatic approach were used. Participants and documents were purposefully sampled. Data was ethically collected through documentation and semi-structured telephonic interviews. The data were thematically analysed and processed to find patterns, keywords were identified, coded, and clustered into categories, and themes emerged. Qualitative findings showed that EE studentteachers knew about OER informally and some students wanted to use OER. Hindrances to OER usage by student-teachers included little engagement with OER by lecturers and costs to access OER.