Open education resources (OER) have had a significant impact on higher education publishers. OER are educational materials that are freely available for anyone to use, share, and adapt. This has led to a shift in the way educational materials are created and distributed, as more and more educators and students are turning to OER as an alternative to traditional, expensive textbooks.
This has had a direct impact on higher education publishers, as their traditional business model of selling textbooks is being disrupted. Many publishers have had to adapt to this changing landscape by offering digital versions of their textbooks, creating custom textbooks for individual schools, or partnering with organizations that promote OER.
Additionally, OER have also had a positive impact on increasing access to education by making educational materials more affordable and accessible to students. OER can also be easily adapted and updated to reflect the latest research and knowledge.
However, it also poses a threat to the revenue of publishers and the sustainability of the industry. Publishers are now exploring alternative revenue streams such as digital courseware, adaptive learning, analytics, and professional development services.
In summary, OER has had a significant impact on higher education publishers, forcing them to adapt and find new ways to sustain their business in the digital age. At the same time, it has also increased access to education and the quality of educational materials.