Toward a Critical Approach for OER: A Case Study in Removing the ‘Big Five’ from OER Creation

Kris Joseph; Julia Guy; Michael B. McNally

doi:10.5944/openpraxis.11.4.1020

Toward a Critical Approach for OER: A Case Study in Removing the ‘Big Five’ from OER Creation

Open Praxis

Volume 11 (2019): Issue 4

By: Kris Joseph , Julia Guy and Michael B. McNally

Open Access

|Dec 2019

Abstract

This paper examines the role of proprietary software in the production of open educational resources (OER). Using a single case study, the paper explores the implications of removing proprietary software from an OER project, with the aim of examining how complicated such a process is and whether removing such software meaningfully advances a critical approach to OER. The analysis reveals that software from the Big Five technology companies (Apple, Alphabet/Google, Amazon, Facebook and Microsoft) are deeply embedded in OER production and distribution, and that complete elimination of software or services from these companies is not feasible. The paper concludes by positing that simply rejecting Big Five technology introduces too many challenges to be justified on a pragmatic basis; however, it encourages OER creators to remain critical in their use of technology and continue to try to advance a critical approach to OER.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.11.4.1020 | Journal eISSN: 2304-070X

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Language: English

Page range: 355 - 367

Submitted on: Jul 26, 2019

Accepted on: Oct 7, 2019

Published on: Dec 31, 2019

Published by: International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

open source software,

proprietary software,

critical approaches to open educational resources,

critical theory

© 2019 Kris Joseph, Julia Guy, Michael B. McNally, published by International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 11 (2019): Issue 4