Virtual University of the Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC) model for development: Open Educational Resources

Abstract

The development of, access to and use of Open Educational Resources (OER) essentially means that skills and knowledge are being shared. It is largely through technology that this has been made possible and education is no longer local in terms of preparation and delivery but truly global. The development and promotion of OER supports a growing sense of community that overcomes cultural, physical and economic barriers. The use of OERs has been a process of giving, receiving and passing on skills and knowledge for development through education. The Virtual University for the Small States of the Commonwealth presents this model of OER development. Members of VUSSC are small developing countries linked partly as former colonies of the British Empire. Despite differences in many aspects such as race, culture, location the common factor is Commonwealth membership which leads to another crucial factor – language. We are all able to speak English as part of the colonial heritage and as a result we at this point in time can communicate and collaborate using this common language. The materials and resources we produce are also in English and therefore we are able to share with each other and the rest of the English speaking world. As open educational resources (OERs) we are also able to translate the materials or content to other languages.