Exploring User Types and What Users Seek in an Open Content Based Educational Resource Conference Item Exploring User Types and What Users Seek in an Open Content Based Educational Resource

The OpenLearn site is an example of an Open Educational Resource (OER) providing units for free study and for re-use under the Creative Commons license. The primary focus of the site is content but it also offers social tools such as forums, personal journals, presence, and videoconferencing. The content can also support interactivity such as quizzes, opportunities for reflection, and interactive diagrams. This paper discusses desirable attributes for a learning environment suited to OERs and considers OpenLearn in the light of the four types of learning focus suggested by Bransford et al (2002) namely: learner, knowledge, community and assessment centred. A study of user views of OpenLearn is reviewed using cluster analysis to identify possible user types. The needs of these user types are then considered with a focus on assessment issues and possible responses suggested in the case of OpenLearn to help bring in assessment to informal learning resources.