Digital learning materials
Reports and publications
How does sharing and reusing (open) digital learning materials contribute to better education? On this page you will find visual aids, roadmaps, reports and publications developed by colleagues from educational institutions together with SURF.
Visual tools
Publication - 19 May 2023
1. Talking plate Digital educational resources: a flexible and rich offering for lecturers and students
As an educational institution, how do you ensure a flexible and rich range of digital learning materials? Discover what the development cycle looks like and discuss choices regarding procurement, reuse, and OERs. This factsheet will help you on your way.
Publication - July 2021
2. Infographic: organising learning materials at 3 levels
How do you organise OERs within your institution? This infographic provides insight into 3 levels - exploration, development and growth - and what to consider for each level. Discover which steps you can take within your institution to make optimal use of OERs.
Publication - 2016
3. Infographic: state of open educationals resources (OER) 2016
How were OER used in Dutch education in 2016? See the figures and developments at a glance.
1. Roadmap for the development and use/reuse of OERs
The edusources website has a comprehensive collection of step-by-step plans to help you get started with the development, use/reuse, promotion and management of OERs.
Publication - 19 October 2020
1. Vision document: digital learning materials in 2025
What does an optimal mix of digital learning materials look like? The Acceleration Zone Towards Digital (Open) Educational Resources outlines the future in 8 vision statements. These give direction to a flexible and accessible landscape of educational resources, with concrete building blocks to achieve this.
Publication - February 2024
2. Exploration: the role of educational IT professionals
Educational IT professionals play a major role in advising lecturers on open learning materials. To best support these professionals, their tasks, challenges and development needs have been mapped.
Publication - February 2022
3. Trend report: adaptive learning materials in higher education
Adaptive learning materials determine the level and needs of students via algorithms, and automatically adapt accordingly. This trend report identifies the opportunities and risks of the technology.
Publication - November 2020
4. Trend report: video learning
Video content is playing an increasing role in education, but how do you organise and professionalise video productions? A working group of experts and institutions examined trends, platforms and technical requirements.
Publication - 2 March 2021
5. Theme edition: reuse of OERs
How do you encourage reuse of learning materials within your institution? This theme issue describes opportunities, challenges and best practices in education.
Publication - 16 December 2019
6. Theme edition: open pedagogy
How can open pedagogy enrich education? This theme issue shows how lecturers and students create knowledge together using open learning materials. Discover inspiring examples and practical tools to get started.
Publication - January 2020
7. Evaluation report: eStudybooks
What are the experiences with eStudybooks in higher education? This evaluation report provides valuable insights and user experiences for institutions wishing to get started with digital learning materials.
Publication - 5 December 2019
8. Feasibility study: inclusive access
Through the inclusive access model, students have direct access to all the teaching and learning resources needed for their studies, without individual purchase. In the US, the model is very successful. SURF commissioned a study on how this model could work in the Dutch context.
Publication - November 2013
9. Report: the quality of OERs
How do you assess the quality of OERs? This 2013 report examines the factors that determine whether OERs are effective and useful in education. Discover insights and guidelines for quality assurance.
Publication - 6 February 2017
Last update - 7 February 2022
10. Blog: Looking for technology to share and find OERs more effectively
Kirsten Veelo, Educational Content team leader & OER project leader at SURF, explores new possibilities in searching, finding and unlocking (meta)data.