Thread:Several points - start separate discussions if/where needed (1)


 * Might be useful to define "content" a bit further - it is not a good term actually. Specifically, include in the examples: lesson plans and other learning design elements.
 * Might be useful to define "content" a bit further - it is not a good term but so widely used that we cannot discard it completely from a document like this. Specifically, include in the examples: lesson plans and other learning design elements.
 * "free" as in beer? (sorry, I had to ask - this debate is so fundamental - it should _not_ mean "free" as in "free of charge" - but that is what most people will assume). Perhaps say "unrestricted use" at this stage - the NC issue will be addressed later.
 * Quote: The term "open educational resources" was first used in July 2002 during a UNESCO workshop on open courseware in developing countries.
 * Reference? - find it on this page.
 * Personally, I would prefer the second paragraph to be expounding on the rapid progress in the early years 2002 - 2007 as evidenced in the Atkins paper (and the others), and refer to some of the prominent OER initiatives with which the readers are likely to engage (WikiEducator, Connexions, OER Commons, Merlot, etc.).
 * "many incredible" --> "several inspirational" (I find "incredible" a little strong).
 * "(Some text in this section was adapted from Surman and Schmidt, 2007)"
 * - reference them and ask permission if the text is very close to the original.
 * "This includes initiatives focused on: ..." - I think you have particular initiatives in mind - reference them as examples (URLs as footnotes?) - consider including the OER initiatives above (WikiEducator, Connexions, OER Commons, eXe, ...).
 * "... to promote the cause of open educational resources."
 * I am not sure if that is really always the case. Many initiatives have arisen as part of a broader "open"/"libre" phenomenon that has come about with the Internet and the sharing that has been going on for a long time. Some OER initiatives may have been inspired partly by OCW and Wikipedia and have been started to strengthen the OER movement - but not all of them.
 * Sorry to belabour this, but what is "the cause of OER"? The existing and emerging libre and open initiatives we see are really bound by a universal desire to share and collaborate for some other (greater) benefit: better education, a knowledgable and wise society, world peace, access, scholarship, etc..
 * The last paragraph is excellent! :-) - adapt the preceding to be in the same spirit - inspire readers to become part of this exciting phenomenon of cooperation towards common higher shared goals while servicing more immediate (and personal) needs.