Challenges and Opportunities for Open Educational Resources in Higher Mathematics Education

Open Educational Resources (OERs) can overcome barriers in higher mathematics education through cost reduction, increased accessibility, and adaptable materials for teachers. The purpose of this paper is to provide a deeper understanding of the need for OERs in higher mathematics education, as well as the potential for collaboration and readiness for their use in Estonia. OERs can benefit teaching and learning in various ways. The adoption and utilization of OERs in Estonia is limited. The authors conducted an online survey with mathematics teachers from different universities and institutions to investigate the reasons for the absence of OERs, the necessity of a digital library of OERs, and the willingness to cooperate in its creation and use. The survey results showed that most respondents considered the digital library necessary and were ready to collaborate in various forms, such as creating, testing, reviewing, and translating materials. However, some respondents were reluctant to share their materials for free or did not find the digital library useful for their specific courses. In conclusion, collaboration in the development of OERs would help overcome the barriers and challenges associated with OERs in higher mathematics education in Estonia.