Blog Post #9

     My sophomore year of high school was interrupted by COVID-19. When trying to figure out what option was best for my school, the idea of distance learning was brought up. This was the first time I personally experienced distance learning. All of my classes were moved to completely remote, meaning that I was attending classes through online platforms such as Zoom and Teams. These platforms were essential in keeping me connected with my teachers and peers, but they also posed challenges such as technical difficulties and a lack of in-person interactions. While I found tools like Kahoot and Quizz effective for collaborative activities and assessments, I missed the hands-on, social aspect of learning. For this reason, while they were effective, it was just enough to get my by and did not fully replicate a classroom.

    Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching, learning, and research materials that are freely available for anyone to use, modify, and share. These resources can include textbooks, lesson plans, videos, and interactive modules, all of which are often released under open licenses such as Creative Commons. The overarching goal of OER is to reduce educational costs, increase access to high-quality materials, and to try and promote collaboration among educators and students. OER encourages innovation and the creation of diverse content tailored to the needs of learners, creating an inclusive educational environment.A great example of an Open Educational Resource (OER) for is the "Read Write Think" website, which offers free lesson plans, reading activities, and interactive tools for elementary teachers and students. This site offers a wide range of interactive lessons and activities that can be adapted to various educational needs, making it an excellent OER for young learners. If you are interested in learning more about "Read Write Think" the link can be found below!

Read Write Think: https://www.readwritethink.org/