Construindo Políticas de Abertura a partir dos Recursos Educacionais Abertos: Uma Análise do Sistema Universidade Aberta do Brasil / Building Open Policy through Open Educational Resources: An analysis of the Open University of Brazil System

Abstract: Open Educational Resources (OER) and associated practices are often positioned as catalysts in increasing equality, inclusion and access to higher education. We present an investigation on the production and dissemination of educational resources at eight Higher Education Institutions that are part of the Open University of Brazil System. Through interviews, focus groups and an analysis of published documents, we aimed to understand their track record, activities and perspectives in regards to core elements of OER adoption. We identified an overall interest and willingness to share resources, collaborative practices and informal exchange of resources, the use of open licensing in local repositories, and attempts at institutional policy making surrounding OER. On the other hand, there were difficulties related to the limited institutionalization of UAB and of distance education, limited financial and technical mechanisms for collaboration and reuse, and a lack of institutional and governmental policy to support sharing and reuse. The lack of coordination around these practices has meant much informal and isolated practices. Unless fomented by the federal government, most initiatives are local, many of which, short-lived. We finalize by discussing recent activities promoting openness including a central standard licensing scheme, mechanisms for sharing resources, and professional development around openness.Recursos Educacionais Abertos (REA) e práticas associadas são regularmente identificados como catalisadores de maior equidade, inclusão e acesso a educação superior. Apresentamos uma investigação sobre a produção e disseminação de recursos educacionais em oito Instituições de Ensino Superior que fazem parte do Sistema Universidade Aberta do Brasil (UAB). Partindo de entrevistas, grupos focais e de análise documental, buscamos entender a sua trajetória, atividades e perspectivas em relação a elementos-chave da adoção de REA. Identificamos interesse e anseio pela abertura de recursos, práticas colaborativas e intercâmbio informal de recursos, o uso de licenças abertas em repositórios locais, e tentativas na construção de políticas institucionais relacionadas a REA. Por outro lado, identificamos dificuldades com relação a institucionalização da UAB e da educação a distância, limitado apoio técnico e financeiro para colaboração e reuso, e falta de políticas governamentais e institucionais para compartilhamento e reuso. A falta de articulação resulta em práticas informais e isoladas. A não ser quando fomentado pelo governo federal, a maioria das iniciativas são locais e muitas, de curto prazo. Finalizamos com uma discussão sobre atividades recentes para promoção de abertura, incluindo um modelo único para licenciamento de recursos, mecanismos para compartilhamento de recursos e formação continuada sobre abertura. Abstract Open Educational Resources (OER) and associated practices are often positioned as catalysts in increasing equality, inclusion and access to higher education. We present an investigation on the production and dissemination of educational resources at eight Higher Education Institutions that are part of the Open University of Brazil System. Through interviews, focus groups and an analysis of published documents, we aimed to understand their track record, activities and perspectives in regards to core elements of OER adoption. We identified an overall interest and willingness to share resources, collaborative practices and informal exchange of resources, the use of open licensing in local repositories, and attempts at institutional policy making surrounding OER. On the other hand, there were difficulties related to the limited institutionalization of UAB and of distance education, limited financial and technical mechanisms for collaboration and reuse, and a lack of institutional and governmental policy to support sharing and reuse. The lack of coordination around these practices has meant much informal and isolated practices. Unless fomented by the federal government, most initiatives are local, many of which, short-lived. We finalize by discussing recent activities promoting openness including a central standard licensing scheme, mechanisms for sharing resources, and professional development around openness