Open Educational Resources in Hong Kong

Abstract

This paper attempts to review the status and development challenges of open educational resources (OER) in Hong Kong. It highlights that Hong Kong is provisioned with pervasive information technology facilities and broadband connectivity. Its education sector is advanced and well equipped with a robust technology infrastructure. Together with the population’s ICT skills and educational institutions investments to promote the adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching and learning, these make Hong Kong an excellent breeding ground for OER. However, through examples of major types of online resources, this paper argues that the development of OER has been sluggish in the vibrant city. Also by reporting results of a survey conducted with people from a cross-section of the major tertiary institutions in Hong Kong, it highlights that educators’ attitudes towards reuse and sharing of open content and material tend to be conservative. Based on these observations, this paper highlights a number of major challenges in the development and adaptation of OER in the city.