Content creation versus adaptation: developing online tutorials for library patrons

In recent years open education has brought the possibility of transformative change to the higher education sector. As a potentially disruptive force, open education offers unprecedented opportunities for peers to share the... [ view full abstract ]

In recent years open education has brought the possibility of transformative change to the higher education sector. As a potentially disruptive force, open education offers unprecedented opportunities for peers to share the content they create and allow others to adapt it for local learning environments. However, to-date, the processes and experiences of those engaging in open education have been documented primarily by original content creators. There are significantly fewer examples of those who adopt and adapt content under Creative Commons license. This reduces the likelihood of open education becoming a truly disruptive force.

The Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB) Library began developing online tutorials in 2013 as a complement to our classroom tutorials. We were motivated to develop online tutorials to address the lapse in time between our classroom tutorials (the research stage) and the point at which the students engaged in referencing. They often needed to revisit detailed referencing procedures weeks, if not months, after they had been demonstrated. Therefore, our research and referencing tutorials were created from scratch as guides that mimicked their classroom experience.

In 2015 we identified the need for a different type of tutorial. Academic writing is a key skill aligned with the processes of researching and referencing assignments. However, as this is not necessarily the Library’s area of expertise, we had traditionally provided limited support for academic writing. Without the time, resources or expertise to create high-quality academic writing tutorials, we opted instead to adapt a series of excellent tutorials developed by The University of Manchester Library.

This paper investigates one instance of the process of adapting open educational resources (OER) developed by a third party. It compares the process of adaptation of OER with the process of creating OER from scratch, and it reflects on the outcomes.