Keeping your options open

Abstract

Purpose Technologies for teaching abound, but many of them are proprietary systems and software that require institutional and individual subscriptions for use. Instructors and librarians in higher education have open source and free options for many types of teaching technologies. While some of these technologies are free to users, open source goes beyond that and makes the source code that runs it available as well. These provide more options to enhance teaching. Design/methodology/approach This paper will provide an overview of the open source landscape and evaluate free and open source technologies of potential use in the college or university classroom. Findings The paper found a number of free and open source tools appropriate for teaching and learning in higher education. These tools may possibly generate savings over proprietary tools, but could have other costs such as additional learning investment or require hosting. Additionally, free and open source technologies provide students with knowledge about tools that they can continue to access after graduation. Libraries have a role in connecting their constituencies to these tools. Originality/value The paper provides descriptive information about a variety of tools for teaching and learning in higher education, as well as examples from the literature of how the tools might be integrated into the classroom and into library instruction.

Evaluating Potential Free Software for Web-Based Multimedia Cartography

“…While costs issue is the main issue in the use of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in education, barriers to the access of ICT can be lowered by using FOSS as the cost of software is reduced (Terbuc, 2007). Technological advancement and the use of education technology especially in higher education is growing rapidly, making free and open source software more relevant to implement in the institution to reduce costs (Blake & Morse, 2016).…”

Team-Teaching Art Appreciation Online Withouta Traditional Textbook

“…Many librarians list OA and OER recommendations on their LibGuides, and their opinions on the quality of these resources are also very abundant in the literature. One example of this is an excellent overview of trusted open software and instructional materials provided by Blake and Morse (2016), but is indicative of the librarian mind-set. Librarians tend to focus on what's available, expecting the faculty to browse these resources and select what they need.…”