(THUNDER BAY, ON) – Contact North | Contact Nord, Ontario’s Distance Education &
Training network has partnered with the Open Educational Resource Foundation, a New
Zealand advocate for open education access, to help launch the Open Educational
Resource university network (OERu). The Open Educational Resource university network
(OERu) is a worldwide partnership of over 30 post-secondary institutions and networks,
such as eCampusAlberta and BCCampus, dedicated to the effective use of open
educational resources (OER) in developing quality online courses and programs.

The use of open educational resources (OER) in the design and development of college and
university courses and programs is a fast growing trend in Canada and around the world.
Contact North | Contact Nord will use its membership in this world-wide body to share best
practices, research, resources and experiences in the use of open educational resources
from educational providers around the world with Ontario’s 24 public colleges and 22
public universities.

The Open Education Resource Foundation launched the new online education network
that will offer free online university courses for students around the world, developed using
open educational resources. The implementation of the OERu is a designated project of the
UNESCO-Commonwealth of Learning OER Chair network.

“We welcome the opportunity to participate in this exciting and innovative partnership of
colleges and universities around the world,” said Maxim Jean-Louis, President – Chief
Executive Officer, Contact North | Contact Nord. “As international educational institutions
embrace the use of open educational resources, we are pleased to have the opportunity to
share their experiences with Ontario’s 24 colleges and 22 universities through our Ontario
Online Learning Portal for Faculty and Instructors.”

The OERu is based on reusing and re-purposing the global inventory of free materials and
open access publications available on the web. Learners may decide to transfer to
credentialed institutions or be assessed for a fee by participating institutions and obtain
their credential.

“The OERu is about sharing knowledge and the sustainability of education. Through
Contact North | Contact Nord’s membership, colleges and universities in Ontario will have
access to the vast knowledge and expertise of 30 educational pioneers in the use of open
educational resources,” says Open Education Resource Foundation Director, Dr. Wayne
Mackintosh.

Through the Ontario Online Learning Portal for Faculty & Instructors, Contact North |
Contact Nord makes information resources and available on OER including:

 How really relevant and practical are Open Educational Resources? A case for a little
humility about the potential in the Trends & Directions section.

 Examples of the effective use of OER by Ontario’s public colleges and universities in
the Pockets of Innovation Series.